Football has officially ended and some of the most exciting baseball news in years has finally hit the front burner of the sports world. Albert Pujols, first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, who is considered the best player in MLB, has been in on going negotiations with his club to sign a long term extension. He has one year remaining on his contract, and will be a free agent at the end of 2011. The breaking news this week was announced: Pujols rejected the Cardinals' offer, and has set a deadline for negotiating with them for Wednesday. Pujols is reportedly asking for 10 years and upward of $300 million on his next contract.
Pujols is considered by some as the best player of all time through the first 10 years of a career. His line after 10 seasons is .331/408/1230 with a 1.050 OPS. He also has 428 doubles, 1186 runs scored and 1900 hits. He has 914 walks to just 646 strikeouts, an amazing number for a power hitter. Pujols has won 3 MVPs, 2 Gold Gloves, 6 Silver Sluggers and is a 9 time all star. His numbers rank 1st among active players in career BA, OBP, SLG, and obviously OPS. Many teams covet him, and many will try to work the numbers to pursue him if the Cardinals cannot reach an agreement.
Part of the problem for the Cardinals lies in the fact that they gave Matt Holliday a $120 million contract before the 2010 season. Matt Holliday has said he would be willing to defer money to the end of his contract to allow the Cardinals to re-sign Albert Pujols. The Cardinals also have to deal with Adam Wainwright's expiring contract and decide on the team options and what to do there. His contract ends in 2011.
There are many teams who want Pujols, but only a few are realistic options to meet his demands. So, who would these teams be? Lets start with the Royals. Yes, the Kansas City Royals, this is not a typo or a sick joke. The Royals minor league system is the best in MLB. They have six of the top 100 prospects. They could definitely put together the trade package to land Pujols. Albert Pujols spent most of his life in Kansas City, graduating from an area high school and attending an area Junior College before being drafted.
What could Kansas City package into a trade worthy of the greatest player of a generation? Lets start with Eric Hosmer(8, Scouting Book). The 21 year old plays first base, so he could be an instant replacement at the position. He hit .338/20/86 with a .977 OPS last year between A+ and AA. He bats and throws left handed, which is always nice to have. Next, we look at Michael Moustakas(12, Scouting Book). The 22 year old hit .322/36/124 with a .999 OPS, playing third base between AA and AAA. Another player who could be packaged is LHP John Lamb(14, Scouting Book). Between A, A+ and AA last season, he went 10-7 with a 2.38 ERA. He posted 159 K's in 147.2 IP with a 1.131 WHIP. Another pitcher to look at is LHP Mike Montgomery. The 21 year old went 7-5 with a 2.61 ERA between Rookie level, A+ and AA. In 93 IP, he posted 88 K's and a 1.151 WHIP. If the Royals had to trade MLB level players, it would probably be Billy Butler or Alex Gordon.
The first problem for the Royals is that David Glass is one of the cheapest owners in MLB. He has traded most every player with a potential for a larger contract, or let them become a free agent. I believe this will play against their prospects of landing Pujols, because he will not want to sign a player for 10 years demanding more than $300 million dollars. The Royals current payroll seems to be even slightly above where he normally has liked it in the past, at $72 million. I do not think that Glass will want to do this deal, and will probably not, even though his chances are probably the highest of any team in MLB to land Pujols via trade. Probably the more important problem with all of this, though, is that Pujols has stated he will veto any attempt by the Cardinals to trade him. That's a huge road block in the Royals process, which probably takes them out of a realistic chance at Albert.
Another team rumored to be in the mix for Pujols with a chance is the Chicago Cubs. According to anothercubsblog.net, a good estimate on Cubs payroll including Pujols in 2012 would be $124 million, and that is only if they allow Aramis Ramirez to become a free agent. Otherwise that number jumps up to $140 million. The problem they point out is, the Ricketts are $400 million in debt after purchasing the Cubs, and may not have the money to get the deal done. The Ricketts have also vowed to renovate Wrigley to the tune of $300 million. The blog makes a good point that this would put the Ricketts $600-$700 million in debt. This all but eliminates the Cubs as a realistic contender to sign him. In their own words, it's too bad he is not a free agent after 2012, they could easily afford him then. In 2012, their only guaranteed contracts would be Soriano and Marmol currently. In my own words, it's always next year for the Cubs isn't it???
Lets move on to the Giants. The Giants won a World Series on the backs of their pitchers. They had no difference making batter to speak of, but still pulled off a title run. The team knows they need to land a guaranteed difference maker in the future. Pujols would likely, though, not want to play in a huge pitcher's park like AT&T. Furthermore, Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand's contracts are really hurting them financially in this hypothetical situation. If the Giants do decide to pursue him, not only will they have a lot of competition, but they will have to find a way to make serious cutbacks in payroll just to afford the deal.
Next, lets take a look at another team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have Kendry Morales, who is a great hitter and can be a MVP candidate in the future. Arte Moreno is in a quandary, having to deal with not automatically entering each season as the number one team in the AL West now that the Rangers have reached an elite level. The Rangers are still going to be serious competition for the Angels, even minus Cliff Lee. Need will be high but I don't think the Angels have the money to pay Pujols what he wants.
The Mets are rumored to be in on the Pujols idea. The biggest problem for the Mets is that their owners got taken for a ride by Bernie Madoff. If they do not sell off part ownership of the team, they will definitely not be able to afford Pujols. If the Wilpons sell part ownership to a person like Mark Cuban, who has wanted in MLB ownership for years, they would certainly have the capital to pursue Pujols and pay his large contract. It will be interesting to see how their process of sell or don't sell goes.
The Yankees are always in on any top player. They always have the capital to land anyone. It seems like they have a zillion dollars, and Cashman can always squeeze out a zillion and one to beat out any other team for a top player. Teixeira could move to DH and allow Pujols to play 1st. Pujols could DH a few times to get a day off from the field. No matter what people think about the Yankees, there are still baseball players who still think NYY is the ultimate destination of any Major League career. I do not know if Pujols has had a life long dream of playing there, but he has definitely had a dream of making the money they can pay him. With New Yankee Stadium, Pujols could rake. Every fly ball seems to travel an extra 50 feet in that short right field. He could hit 50 home runs there no sweat. The Yankees missed out on Cliff Lee this year, and that might work out to their advantage with Pujols. I think the Yankees would have the best chance of the non-Cardinals teams to land him.
I still believe the Cardinals can work something out with Albert to keep him. I think the Cardinals will get desperate before the Wednesday noon deadline. They are in a situation that is dire for them. The fan base might never forgive the ownership for not keeping around the face of the franchise, the best player in a generation, the one player who can lead them to greatness. He is so popular in St. Louis, that the city will most likely lower flags to half staff if he does not re-sign. The Governor of Missouri will probably declare St. Louis a state of emergency after the fans go berserk and destroy the downtown area. If Pujols hasn't inked an extension at 12:01 central standard time, the Missouri National Guard better be ready to guard the Arch and Busch Stadium. There's going to be a riot on the Mississippi.
If a deal is not reached, the Cardinals will have to spend the entire season in the shadow of Albert Pujols and every team hoarding in on their best player like the choicest slab of beef at a meat market. Although Albert says he will not discuss the subject during the season if no deal was reached, virtually everyone else involved in baseball will most certainly churn out scenarios and news on the situation all season long. If Pujols ends up somewhere else, that team will not only become an instant division favorite, but also a World Series contender overnight. The team will probably come close to selling out every home game if they didn't already. Pujols merchandise for a new club will sell like McDonald's $1 cheeseburgers. Of course, Pujols could change his mind and extend his own negotiating deadline with the Cardinals. We'll just have to wait and see what happens by Wednesday, when all hell might break loose.
Next, lets take a look at another team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels have Kendry Morales, who is a great hitter and can be a MVP candidate in the future. Arte Moreno is in a quandary, having to deal with not automatically entering each season as the number one team in the AL West now that the Rangers have reached an elite level. The Rangers are still going to be serious competition for the Angels, even minus Cliff Lee. Need will be high but I don't think the Angels have the money to pay Pujols what he wants.
The Mets are rumored to be in on the Pujols idea. The biggest problem for the Mets is that their owners got taken for a ride by Bernie Madoff. If they do not sell off part ownership of the team, they will definitely not be able to afford Pujols. If the Wilpons sell part ownership to a person like Mark Cuban, who has wanted in MLB ownership for years, they would certainly have the capital to pursue Pujols and pay his large contract. It will be interesting to see how their process of sell or don't sell goes.
The Yankees are always in on any top player. They always have the capital to land anyone. It seems like they have a zillion dollars, and Cashman can always squeeze out a zillion and one to beat out any other team for a top player. Teixeira could move to DH and allow Pujols to play 1st. Pujols could DH a few times to get a day off from the field. No matter what people think about the Yankees, there are still baseball players who still think NYY is the ultimate destination of any Major League career. I do not know if Pujols has had a life long dream of playing there, but he has definitely had a dream of making the money they can pay him. With New Yankee Stadium, Pujols could rake. Every fly ball seems to travel an extra 50 feet in that short right field. He could hit 50 home runs there no sweat. The Yankees missed out on Cliff Lee this year, and that might work out to their advantage with Pujols. I think the Yankees would have the best chance of the non-Cardinals teams to land him.
I still believe the Cardinals can work something out with Albert to keep him. I think the Cardinals will get desperate before the Wednesday noon deadline. They are in a situation that is dire for them. The fan base might never forgive the ownership for not keeping around the face of the franchise, the best player in a generation, the one player who can lead them to greatness. He is so popular in St. Louis, that the city will most likely lower flags to half staff if he does not re-sign. The Governor of Missouri will probably declare St. Louis a state of emergency after the fans go berserk and destroy the downtown area. If Pujols hasn't inked an extension at 12:01 central standard time, the Missouri National Guard better be ready to guard the Arch and Busch Stadium. There's going to be a riot on the Mississippi.
If a deal is not reached, the Cardinals will have to spend the entire season in the shadow of Albert Pujols and every team hoarding in on their best player like the choicest slab of beef at a meat market. Although Albert says he will not discuss the subject during the season if no deal was reached, virtually everyone else involved in baseball will most certainly churn out scenarios and news on the situation all season long. If Pujols ends up somewhere else, that team will not only become an instant division favorite, but also a World Series contender overnight. The team will probably come close to selling out every home game if they didn't already. Pujols merchandise for a new club will sell like McDonald's $1 cheeseburgers. Of course, Pujols could change his mind and extend his own negotiating deadline with the Cardinals. We'll just have to wait and see what happens by Wednesday, when all hell might break loose.
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