I didn't know Albert was due

BRING ON THE CASHISH!!!!

There was no reason to extend him now, when he still had TWO years remaining on his current deal. I would have seen how Howard did this year and even next year. Then extend him based on his current production at that time. If he tested free agency and some other team blew him away financially so beit.  

Now, he is under contract for seven seasons (including this one). Howard will be 37 at the contract's end. The Phillies will be lucky if they get 4 years of peak performance out of Howard. Today he is worth the contract. I'd be surprised if the Phillies arent regretting the deal on the back end.

Pujols is a different beast. You are talking about an icon in St. Louis, and someone, who may end up in the discussion of the greatest (i.e. Williams, Ruth, Mays, etc.) players of all time. They have to pay him not only for the future but also for the past. I suspect his new contract will be north of 30 million per year.