2011 MLB Draft: Chicago Cubs Giving Up on Albert Pujols with Daniel Vogelbach?

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The St. Louis Cardinals are sure to try to retain Albert Pujols when his contract expires after the season and teams like the Toronto Blue Jays or Texas Rangers could get involved, but no potential suitor for the three-time NL MVP has generated more attention than the Chicago Cubs.

However, the Cubs may be signaling that they do not have Pujols in their long-term plans with their second-round pick (No. 68 overall) of prep first baseman Dan Vogelbach.

Baseball America says that Vogelbach, who hit a 508-foot home run at last year's Power Showcase, has "excellent strength and a sound, loose swing," giving him "some of the best lefthanded power in the draft."

Most teams draft based on talent, not current needs, so we shouldn't read too much into the choice. Still, though, one would have to imagine that the Cubs wouldn't have spent an early pick on a player who could be blocked for years to come.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (C.J. Cron), Pittsburgh Pirates (Alex Dickerson), Seattle Mariners (Kevin Cron), Detroit Tigers (Aaron Westlake) and San Francisco Giants (Ricky Oropesa) also chose first basemen.

For more 2011 MLB draft coverage, including updated MLB draft results and MLB draft grades, stay tuned to Bleacher Report.

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