MLB Free Agency: 11 Potential Free Agents Whose Deals Depend on Albert Pujols
Overall, the upcoming MLB free agency class for the 2011 offseason is fairly weak. Unlike 2010 when baseball fans anxiously watched to see where pitcher Cliff Lee and All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford would end up, 2011 will figure to be a quiet offseason.
Yet, among the 2011 free agents, one name stands out. For the first time in his career, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols will be on the open market. Given how he is only 31 years old and already has a career batting average of .330, 414 home runs and 1,242 RBI, he will surely command big money.
The Cardinals attempted to negotiate a new contract with Pujols this past offseason and into spring training. Pujols actually set February 14 as the deadline for a new deal, otherwise negotiations would end. No deal was reached, so it's clear that Pujols's next contract will set a new standard for free agents in future years.
Here are 11 potential free agents whose next contracts will be shaped by the conclusion of the Pujols saga.
No. 11: Yadier Molina
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Ever since 2005, Yadier Molina has been the starting catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is an average hitter, but plays excellent defense behind the plate. In 2010, he won his third straight Gold Glove Award.
Yet, despite his modest abilities, there is one thing people forget about Molina. He is very good friends with Albert Pujols. Given how he is in the final year of his contract, who is to say that he won't follow the three-time MVP?
The one factor working against Molina's free agency case is the fact that his current contract has a team option for next season. He currently makes about $5.3 million, so just one off-season could be grounds for the team to let him walk. If he is indeed given that opportunity, don't be surprised if he follows Pujols.
No. 10: Ryan Franklin
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Since initially signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals in 2007, Ryan Franklin has signed two contract extensions with the team. He has proven to be an elite closer the past couple of seasons, but has recently lost that job due to early-season struggles. He is making $3.2 million this year and his contract expires at season's end, and he has strongly hinted that he will retire.
Yet, something tells me that Franklin might play one more year. He's no spring chicken at age 38, but I have a feeling that he'll want to come back in 2012 if his 2011 season proves to be underachieving. He has been loyal to the Cardinals thus far, but will he continue to be for a potentially lower salary next season?
Let's be honest, folks. The reason Franklin has shown such loyalty to the Cardinals since 2007 is because they have contended year after year. With the possibility of Albert Pujols leaving at season's end, the team's chances of making a run at the division are much slimmer.
That being said, don't be surprised if Franklin demands an equal amount of money from the Cardinals, if not greater.
No. 9: Derrek Lee
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In 2009, Derrek Lee batted .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBI, finishing ninth in the NL MVP race. His numbers dropped in 2010, as he hit just .260 with 19 homers and 80 RBI in a season split between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. Given his drop, the best contract offer the 35-year-old got was a one-year deal worth $7.25 million from the Baltimore Orioles.
Lee has gotten off to a slow start in 2011, batting only .209 with one home run and two RBI. He will be 36 in September, so I'm sure people are already calling him washed up. Yet, it is still early and Lee has just as much chance of having a monster season as Albert Pujols does. If that is indeed the case, he could demand big money next year.
Like Pujols, Derrek Lee is a first baseman. Given his talent both at the plate and on the field, not to mention another first baseman on this list, there is no denying that if Pujols gets a big contract that Derrek Lee could command a smaller yet equally paying deal if he has a bounce-back season.
No. 8: Brandon Phillips
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Ever since being traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2006, Brandon Phillips has slowly established himself as one of the top second basemen in the major leagues. The man can hit for decent power, has a great glove in the field, and hits well for average. On top of that, he can steal bases fairly well.
Given, Phillips is not in the same league as Pujols by a long shot. Yet, given how Skip Schumaker is good but not GREAT at his position and how the Cardinals potentially have a lot of money coming off the books excluding Pujols's contract, it's possible that the team could pursue Phillips.
Signing the second baseman would not only provide the Cardinals with good defense in the field, but it would provide Pujols with some more protection in the lineup besides Matt Holliday. If a way can be found to sign both Pujols and Phillips, the Cardinals will easily be the most dangerous team in the NL.
No. 7: Jose Reyes
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Simply put, Jose Reyes can do it all. He hits well for average, showcases some great power, is slick in the field and has blinding speed. Thus far, in 2011, he is batting .318 with one home run and six RBI and eight stolen bases.
Currently, the Cardinals' shortstop is Ryan Theriot. Honestly, Reyes would be the best kind of upgrade for the team at that position. Theriot is also the leadoff man, and Reyes beats him in that category too.
Given how New York Mets fans (not to mention team management) seem to be getting fed up with Reyes, the likelihood of him leaving the team after this season grows stronger day by day. If Pujols stays in St. Louis and the Cardinals can afford to sign another big name player, Reyes would be ideal. He would inject more life into an already-potent lineup, not to mention bring a little bit of personality to the team.
Plus, the Jose Reyes chant would be spread to another city. Who can complain about that?
No. 6: Lance Berkman
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After an injury-marred 2010 in which he batted just .248 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI, Lance Berkman signed a one-year deal with the Cardinals, worth $8 million. Thus far, he has proven that 2010 was a fluke as he is batting .339 with six home runs and 15 RBI. If he can maintain this pace throughout the season, he could be quite valuable next year.
If the Cardinals can battle their way to a division title and more in 2011, chances are that Berkman might stick around. Yet, that all depends on Pujols. Berkman and Pujols, along with Matt Holliday, make up the heart of the St. Louis batting order and if the two free agents-to be come back next year and produce, the team will be truly dangerous.
For Berkman's sake, I hope Pujols stays.
No. 5: Adam Wainwright
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In 2009 and 2010, Adam Wainwright not only established himself as one of the top pitchers on the Cardinals but also as one of the best pitchers in the National League. He went 39-19 over that stretch with a 2.52 ERA and was a Cy Young Finalist twice. Wainwright was expected to be a force on the team this year, but suffered an elbow injury early in spring training. He underwent Tommy John surgery and is out for the season.
Though Wainwright isn't a free agent until after next season, his contract depends a lot on the future of Pujols. If the three-time MVP leaves St. Louis, it would not surprise me at all if Wainwright requested a trade to another team. Say what you want about how deep the Cardinals are, but Pujols leaving them is on the same scale as LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lose him, and the team could be in a lot of trouble.
That being said, I anticipate Wainwright's situation could go as follows: first, Pujols signs with another team. Then, given how the Cardinals have also lost some other key players, Wainwright asks to be traded. This goes on for a couple of weeks with many teams being in the mix, but he is ultimately traded to a contender who has agreed to sign him to a contract extension. Think the Johan Santana sweepstakes, but without as much money.
No. 4: Aramis Ramirez
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Forget his injury-plagued 2009 and his horrendous 2010. Aramis Ramirez is one of the best third basemen in baseball. He isn't the best fielder, but he has amazing power and can hit well for average. So far this season, he is batting .324 with one home run and eight RBI.
He also happens to be a free agent this coming offseason and if the Cardinals want to give Pujols reason to stay, they must pursue Ramirez. On top of that, they need to trade David Freese for an effective starting pitcher. If the team can pull that off and bring Ramirez to St. Louis, it would give Pujols some extra incentive to stay.
No. 3: Chris Carpenter
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Ever since 2005 when he won the NL Cy Young Award with a 21-5 record and 2.83 ERA, Chris Carpenter has been the ace of the St. Louis pitching staff. Yet, he makes $14.25 million this season and turns 36 next week. Unless he can completely turn around his 0-2, 4.13 ERA start, it's a safe bet that he will not be back next year.
If Carpenter leaves, the odds of Pujols going to another team are greater. Without Carp, the Cardinals' pitching staff has a big hole in it and about 15-20 wins are lost. That's enough losses to knock a team out of playoff contention.
Yet, if Pujols finds a new team before Carpenter and St. Louis wants to bring the big righty back, the former Cy Young winner will have some leverage. Sure, the team may have Matt Holliday, but pitching is what really wins championships. If Carpenter were to return to St. Louis, he would basically be carrying the team on his back. That being said, he could demand a big contract despite his age.
No. 2: CC Sabathia
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This here is the most interesting potential free agency case. As of now, CC Sabathia is in the third year of the seven-year, $161 million contract that he signed with the Yankees before the 2009 season. He makes $24.2 million this year, the highest salary for a pitcher in all of baseball.
Yet, Sabathia can opt out of his deal after this season and leave $92 million on the table. Given how Pujols is sure to garner at least $30 million a year with his new contract, Sabathia could opt out and demand just as much. In this writer's opinion, he would deserve every penny.
Sabathia goes out start after start and just shuts down opponents. He has been a Cy Young Finalist each of his two seasons in New York and his pitching repertoire is deep. Long story short, he puts the team on his back multiple times despite having so many superstars giving him run support.
If Pujols makes big money this offseason, expect Sabathia to potentially exercise his opt-out clause and seek a near or equal salary.
No. 1: Prince Fielder
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Besides Pujols, Prince Fielder is the best free agent available in the 2011 offseason class. He had an off 2010, batting only .261 with 32 homers and 83 RBI (compared to .299, 46 HR, 141 RBI in 2009). Yet, he is on a tear to start 2011, batting .368 with three home runs and 19 RBI, as well as a .449 OBP.
If Fielder can have an MVP-caliber year, the sky will be the limit for him regarding his future. If he wants to get the biggest deal possible, he should wait until Pujols signs a new contract (wherever it may be) and then use that as his negotiating tool. Both he and Pujols are the same type of player, plus Fielder is four years younger and bats left-handed. Thus, why shouldn't he get the same salary as Pujols?
Either way, the Pujols-Fielder saga will be one for the ages. Between the two of them, it's hard to say which teams will make the biggest plays for them besides their current ones. Both are top first-basemen, and both deserve contracts that will pay upwards of $25 million a year.
There is only one large difference between the two. One's future will shape the other's.
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