Originally <a href='/showthread.php?p=21260200'>posted</a> on 02/27/2014:

That what happens you pay a guy top dollar based on the past production while he was still in his prime. Still a great player, but slowly declining. St. Louis knew this.

Pujols loved St Louis and they loved him, but they were not going to pay the price for a player whose best years were behind him, let rich teams do that and struggle.

The best player on his team Trout, got a contract for a cool one million for the year, but considering his production and the fact his best years are head of him, will be well worth the $150 mil/6yrs they are likely going to settle.