Why take Albert in the 1st Round?

[Yoda]

I could be wrong but a Pujols caliber player wouldn't opt for surgery at his peak age unless the injury greatly affects his numbers. Plenty of position players have played through elbow ligament injury. As long as it doesn't affect his throwing, he will be fine. Stop overreacting.

You're conclusion jumping just as much as people who are presuming that he will indeed have surgery. The notion that he is a higher risk pick this year than in previous years is certainly reasonable -- you have to admit that. Failure to do so ends the conversation right there. From that point, it comes down to strategy, specifically with pertaining to the first round. It's risk vs. reward. The reward of Albert Pujols being the #1 player in all of fantasy -- the risk being that he plays in X number of games and calls it a day. These are both very realistic scenarios. Some people wouldn't dream of letting him slip past Pick 1.2, while others wouldn't dream of taking him in Round 1 -- you can't say that either are necessarily wrong here.

For me, I'm passing on Pujols in Round 1. I'm just more comfortable grabbing Wright, Holliday, Reyes, and looking to get a guy like Teixeira as my 1B if I have an early 1st Round/late 2nd Round pick. If he has fallen to me late in Round 1, I'd probably just select Howard or Fielder as my 1B there, as I feel there is less risk, with the reward being near what it is of Pujols. Like I said, it's all about strategy and perception. I certainly don't think those taking him #2 overall are wrong for doing so, nor do I think those who are passing on him all together are, either.

Well, I was reacting to the post that said a poster wouldn't take him with his top 12 picks. If you want to take someone else that's fine but going that far is just too over the top for me.

Everyone is acting like Pujols is definitely headed for surgery and that clearly is not the case. Even if he puts up 07 numbers he is still a high first round pick at least for me based on his floor and ceiling. If you don't then that is fine. Just don't act like the sky is falling because Pujols made a public statement that he won't play through pain.

[StlSluggers]

Please give me 12 better players

Well, replacement level is better than anyone who's sitting at home recovering from surgery, so...

Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level
Replacement level

[Rotundor]

For the doubters, at what point in a draft do you think his potential outweighs his risk?

I'd probably take him late second or third depending on who i've already drafted. Call me nuts if you want.

Of course, this could change depending on new reports.

[StlSluggers]

For the doubters, at what point in a draft do you think his potential outweighs his risk?

I'd probably take him late second or third depending on who i've already drafted. Call me nuts if you want.

Of course, this could change depending on new reports.

I'd say just about any point in the second round. At that point, you've picked your "guaranteed stud." If you had a chance to get two first rounders, you'd have to take it.

[Grounded Polo]

For the doubters, at what point in a draft do you think his potential outweighs his risk?

I'd probably take him late second or third depending on who i've already drafted. Call me nuts if you want.

Of course, this could change depending on new reports.

It's not worth trying to figure out that out because unless there is official news stating Pujols will be out for X amount of time, he's going in the first round, no questions asked.

[jake_harv88]

For the doubters, at what point in a draft do you think his potential outweighs his risk?

I'd probably take him late second or third depending on who i've already drafted. Call me nuts if you want.

Of course, this could change depending on new reports.

I'd say just about any point in the second round. At that point, you've picked your "guaranteed stud." If you had a chance to get two first rounders, you'd have to take it.

Yeah I agree here. There is certainly a list of players in my mind that are guaranteed to produce first round numbers. Why not take them over pujols? After that i would certainly grab him. The aforementioned list is not totally ridiculous in my mind...

[RynMan]

Do you guys not think that Hanley Ramirez at #2 is a risky pick?

For a guy who has 2 good years, showed no power in the minors, playing in an extreme pitcher's park, on a team who lost their best run producer, and in a division that saw it's pitching get better? Oh, and he also had off-season labral surgery for a partial dislocation (which by the way, tend to reoccur).

[sycamore]

Cardinals should trade Pujols NOW..Their organization is in turmoil and fans would prefer some honesty regarding the teams intentions to compete this year

[Pogotheostrich]

Cardinals should trade Pujols NOW..Their organization is in turmoil and fans would prefer some honesty regarding the teams intentions to compete this year

Crazy talk

[bigh0rt]

Do you guys not think that Hanley Ramirez at #2 is a risky pick?

For a guy who has 2 good years, showed no power in the minors, playing in an extreme hitter's park, on a team who lost their best run producer, and in a division that saw it's pitching get better? Oh, and he also had off-season labral surgery for a partial dislocation (which by the way, tend to reoccur).

i assume you mean pitcher's park