Will the pressure be on Pujols and Hamilton or NOT so much...

[Ohtaniland]

It was interesting to hear Tim Salmon this morning on the MLB network say that Pujols and Hamilton don't really have to have All Star type seasons to be productive. It kinda sounds like the organization has already accepted the lessor performing versions of both players.

 

Albert Pujols was signed fresh off a very productive .299 / 37hrs / 99rbi's / .906ops season in St Louis which at the time was actually considered a down year for Albert Pujols. Yes that's what was said.

 

Then Josh Hamilton was signed away from Texas just off a monster .285 / 43hrs / 128rbi's / .930ops. Both these guys were signed based on those type of performances and they didn't come cheap so it's puzzling to hear Salmon say that so early in their contracts. 

 

Has it reached the point that that these two guys are no longer MLB superstars that can be depended on to carry a team for long stretches? Is it because we have Mike Trout that we shouldn't worry about Pujols or Hamilton and just be happy with whatever we can salvage out of two of the highest paid players in baseball?

 

So will the pressure be on Pujols and Hamilton to perform at a high level or NOT so much because we have Mike Trout?  

 

     

[HaloMagic]

Why is 'not' capitalized?

[Adam]

I think they will both be under tremendous pressure to perform, especially Pujols

[Second Base]

I think the answer is likely somewhere in the middle. They'll both be considerably better than the poor showing they had last year. But their days as MVP candidates are likely over.

Pujols should be healthy but at age 34 he likely won't match the numbers he had in his late 20's. think about it, that was over 5 years ago. As for Hamilton, he'll make some adjustments but pitchers have learned how to approach him and he's lost some confidence. They should still be solid though.

Pujols: .285 40 DB 30 HR

Hamilton: .275 30 DB 25 HR

[Torridd]

I disagree, Adam. All they have to do is what they're capable of doing. Neither one has to carry the team, per se. Stay healthy. Don't try to do too much.

 

The key is these guys are "superstars,"that is, they know what they have to do. They've been around the dugout many times.

 

If they perform "well", I don't think anyone would have too much to say, except Angels.Win fans.

[Sully151]

With the money they are making the pressure should be on them, even if it is nothing but self inflicted pressure.

The Angels paid them for past performance knowing there was no way they could match those performances in the future (especially years 7-10 for Pujols) but they should still perform at a high level for a few seasons.

Because their performance last season was poor and both are expected to be better this year, there should be pressure to perform.

[Erick McClendon]

Hamilton wont get pitches to hit until he proves that he will take walks..Even in his MVP year he only walked 6% of the time..

Edited January 10, 2014 by Aggie E

[CaliAngel]

Hamilton doesn't give a crap and Pujols is just looking to keep his career numbers up and going. 

 

As far as winning I don't think either of the guys are feeling pressured to get a ring for the franchise. 

[Chimi]

I think Pujols will be fine. He was under a ton of pressure to live up to his contract in 2012. After having one of the worst Aprils he could possibly have, he hit .300 with 30 HRs and 95 RBI from May 1st on.

Last year he could barely walk.

I think this season we will see the Pujols we expect as long as his foot really is healthy.

[floplag]

with the big contract comes big expectations and pressure... you accept that when you sign on the line.

I dont think any will be on Ibanez for example.. but if Pujols and Hamilton dont deliver we have no chance so yes, it will be, and should be, on them

[HaloFan85]

The pressure will be on the entire team.  How everyone handles it is the real question.

[yk9001]

Pujols feels pressure to perform well for the best fans in baseball..... The St. Louis Cardinals fans.

[Brent Maguire]

I'm sure they both feel pressured to produce. Pujols especially comes across as a super competitive guy. 

 

If they weren't feeling any pressure to help this team win, then there is something seriously wrong with them. 

[tdawg87]

Too blessed to feel pressed

[Steve]

Is it too much to ask for competing MVP seasons from players on the same team?  I'm giving up now!  Eff these guys.

 

They're two of the highest paid players in baseball, they are expected to perform.  They are expected to handle pressue and they are expected to lead the club off the field.  I'll take two out of three from either.

[bloodbrother]

Hamilton is a hacker at the plate and those types don't age well. I don't have a lot of hope for him. His AB's were just comedy. It just looked like he never made any in game adjustments or game to game adjustments. His AB's vs LHP were ridiculous. Pretty much just gave AB's away vs them with his approach. It looks like he just decides to swing before the pitch is thrown and is swinging no matter what.  A "rebound" from him for me is him hitting around .250-.260 with 25 HR. With his approach, the swing and miss to his game, hard to see him hitting .280+ over a full season again. Pretty remarkable that he was consistently doing that for some time to

 

Pujols I actually have some slight hope for. He's always shown a good eye at the plate and rarely K's. I'm not ever expecting him to be the Cardinals Pujols, but I do think he could have another .900 OPS season or 2. The key will be his health, which hasn't had a good trend lately. Knee and foot problems the past few years and is turning 34 later this month

 

To answer the question though, yes they have pressure on them, they have to. They are making the big money for a reason. If they perform, the team will do well, if they suck, the team will suck

Edited January 11, 2014 by bloodbrother

[Blarg]

Some of you guys are jumping the shark over what Tim Salmon said in a very short response to a big topic.

[IEAngelsfan]

Some of you guys are jumping the shark over what Tim Salmon said in a very short response to a big topic.

Are you new to the board?

[Brent Maguire]

Are you new to the board?

I was thinking the same thing.