MLB Trade Rumors: Albert Pujols to Become a Free Agent?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 12, 2009 9:00 AM EDT in Baseball Comment 6 comments

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, yells at home plate umpire Mike Everitt after being called out on strikes during the sixth inning in Game 3 of the National League division baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

4 months ago: St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, yells at home plate umpire Mike Everitt after being called out on strikes during the sixth inning in Game 3 of the National League division baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Ken Rosenthal posted a new rumors article over at Foxsports.com yesterday, and now that the Cardinals have been eliminated from the playoffs, he is speculating that Albert Pujols could become a free agent when his contract runs out after the 2011 season.

Pujols has always said he wants to play for a winner, and will not be so quick to sign a long-term extension this offseason until after he see what the Cardinals do to replace free agents Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, Joel Pineiro and John Smoltz.

Here is an excerpt from him article:

Even if both sides are well-intentioned, the odds of the Cardinals keeping Pujols beyond 2011 probably are not good.

Let's say Pujols views Alex Rodriguez's 10-year, $275 million contract as his benchmark, even though it was a free-agent deal signed in a better economy.

Let's say the Cardinals view an eight-year, $160 million deal as more realistic, even though Pujols would start his next deal at the same age that Rodriguez did, 32.

If you were Pujols, how much of a discount would you give?

He goes on to talk about how Pujols has the sixth highest OPS+ in history, and is a solid defensive first baseman. But he also talks about how the Cardinals window for winning may be closing soon with both manager Tony Larussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan unsigned after this season.

It's obvious the Cardinals have alot of decisions to make. Do they re-sign Larussa, Duncan and Holliday and extend Pujols. That could be quite expensive.

And what happens to the Cardinals pitching staff if Duncan leaves? I think the STL pitchers take a bit of a hit come draft day. I know its early, and the postseason is just getting started, but the thought of Albert Pujols playing somewhere other than St. Louis is interesting.

Poll

What are the chances Albert Pujols leaves STL after the 2011 season?

zero

126 votes

10-25%

102 votes

25-50%

71 votes

> 50%

108 votes

407 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Holliday

The 1st sign of a concerted effort to retain Pujols will be a serious effort to land Matt Holliday. Whether spending $100MM two years in advance means anything to Pujols is another story.

The Cards may be better off just spending that money on Pujols right now and continue surrounding him patchwork style. obviously the team is good enough to win under this method.

by faketeams on Oct 12, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

who knows?

The Cards have to do something with Holliday- offer a multi-year deal or at least arbitration. Remember the Cards gave up their #1 minor league player for him- Brett Wallace. The issue with Pujols is that his contract expires the same time as the MLBPA. Historically, just after the MLBPA is finalized dollar amounts for player contracts skyrocket. That may mitigate the economic woes of the day. So in all it would be best for StL to resign Pujols prior to the beginning of the 2010 season. Otherwise Pujols will probably just wait things out.

by acr on Oct 12, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

All I have to say is

if Pujols is wanting Aroid money he will be waiting a very, very, very long time (x infinity). Hell, I doubt even the MFY would give Aroid Aroid money today, that’s how utterly stoopid that contract is.

25 mil. maybe. 20 mil, most likely. But will STL pay even that? no. With the leagues getting younger, I predict that Pujols is traded next season.

by Surrogates on Oct 12, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

He is the best hitter in baseball….look how much Manny got from the Dodgers and he is 37 years old.
Pujols will get paid…..maybe by the Mets or the Red Sox or the Dodgers or the Cubs….but he will get paid.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 12, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True,

but Manny was only signed for 2 years, an outlay of $45m. There is a Big difference between that contract and one for $300m. For a non-skill position, at that.

I don’t see it.

by Surrogates on Oct 13, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

$$

Pujols will definately get his money if he tests the market. He will be by far the best free agent if he decides to go. And teams will be desperate like they always are to win. Pujols is still young and has proven that he will always be effective. If he goes into Free Agency he will sign a huge deal.

by cnubsbl16 on Oct 12, 2009 11:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs