Pujols Signs With Angels

[Arthur Dent]

I don't really buy that the tax angle has much significance. For one thing, athletes are required to pay tax in a bunch of different states that they play road games in muting the significance of the local code. Furthermore, lack of state income tax typically means higher taxes of other kinds. Pujols will probably pay a ton of property tax on his home, for example. And non-tax cost of living factors are likely more significant.

[Hungary Jack]

Tim Tebow should be paid handsomely for doing God's work.

[ilstu24]

This "God lead me to the Angels" crap is really really annoying. I'm sure God is worried about if a professional baseball player gets paid or not...good grief.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

[Leroy]

The taxes are just like what I said about total contract amount. The player probably knows little about it, and the agent won't bring it up. The teams might have a detailed schedule of places and taxes, but I'm sure it is way over the player's head, and I'd be if the player is even in the room until it gets close to the end.

[docellis]

[JohnDoolittle]

The taxes are just like what I said about total contract amount. The player probably knows little about it, and the agent won't bring it up. The teams might have a detailed schedule of places and taxes, but I'm sure it is way over the player's head, and I'd be if the player is even in the room until it gets close to the end.

Kind of like the doctor coming in to slap the babies behind after the nurse does all the work eh Leroy!

[cards2468]

Article from 2/15/09

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... Id=rss_stl


"Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course," Pujols said. "Because that city has opened the door to me and my family like no other city is ever going to do. I don't want to [go to] any other city, but if that time comes I'm pretty sure wherever I go they are going to do the same way -- hopefully, open the doors. But I don't think it's to be anything compared to St. Louis.

"People from other teams want to play in St. Louis and they're jealous that we're in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable. So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 or $4 more million a year? It's not about the money. I already got my money. It's about winning and that's it. It's about accomplishing my goal and my goal is to try to win. If this organization shifts the other way then I have to go the other way."

In Pujols' eyes, the organization has not yet "shifted the other way." He expressed support for the franchise's course in recent years, while also emphasizing again that a new contract is not a big priority.

"When that time comes, then we're going to figure it out," he said. "And I told you, I'm not going to lie to you, it's not about the money all the time. It's about being in a place to win and being in a position to win. If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team every year like they have, I'm going to try to work everything out to stay in this town. But if they're not on the same page of bringing championship caliber to play every year, then it's time for me to go somewhere else. Where? Somewhere else that I can win.

"But we don't have to worry about that because I still have a couple of years. As long as they bring in talent and they keep drafting guys and doing moves here and there, then I don't have to worry about that. I'm happy with what I got. I play one year at a time and when that time comes we'll figure it out. But it's not always about how much money can I get. It's about winning. I've already told you guys. I've got 10 fingers and I've nine plain that I can fill up with World Series rings. I want to win."

I guess he got enough winning in to change priorities.

[Swingingbunt]

not sure if this has been dropped in here anywhere from twitter:

"You know who's pissed about Pujols signing with the Angels? The Houston Astros. They change leagues next year and are still in his division."

[cpebbles]

So Missouri is the smartest state for once?

You can't tell me with a straight face that players' legacies haven't been dramatically enhanced by sticking with one team for their entire careers.

[OmahaCard79]

So Missouri is the smartest state for once?

You can't tell me with a straight face that players' legacies haven't been dramatically enhanced by sticking with one team for their entire careers.

Only one I can immediately think of that was enhanced by moving teams is Reggie Jackson. He wouldn't be looked at quite the same without that Yankees stint. Still, Jose Pujols isn't playing for the Yankees. He's playing for the Angels: the #2 team in the #2-#3 sport in LA.