Jeff, there is not one chance in hell that #5 was going to sign with the Cardinals for any less last year. He wants 2 things: A long term deal that takes him to the likely end of his career and to be the highest paid player in baseball. It is pure inasnity to think those two goals can be accomplished by any other organizations than the richest 4 or 5 (Yanks, Sox, Dogers, ect...) in the league.

The reality is the Cardinals are in a lose/lose position. Unless Albert will take less or a shorter term, there is no chance the Cardinals can sign him and be a compeditive, blanced team for the next 10 years. Having one player eat up 20% - 30% of your payroll is just bad business. If they sign him, this team had better win in the next 2-3 years. Otherwise, it is over. If they don't sign him, the Albert worshipers will go bananas and cry about how the ownership blew it and/or doesn't care.

So, if you're the GM what do you pick?: Door #1 that cripples the team for years and years. Door #2 that has a percentage of fans vowing to jump off buildings and never watch another baseball game as long as they live.