Albert Pujols: Five Teams Who Could Benefit from Failed Cardinals Talks

Albert Pujols is arguably the best player in baseball right now. He wants to stay and play for St. Louis, but he would also like a a new contract.

Pujols rejected the Cardinals latest offer. The deadline for a deal to be made is noon, this Wednesday. Two days may not be enough time for St. Louis to work something out.   

If no deal is made then Pujols will hit free agency after the season.  The Cardinals may think about trading him during the season.

There are going to be a number of teams interested in Pujols. The Cardinals will definitely listen to the offers, but will they actually deal their All-Star player? 

Here are five teams that would greatly benefit from a lack of deal between Pujols and St. Louis.  

5. Texas Rangers

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 31: Manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers waits to take on the San Francisco Giants in Game Four of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 31, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinge

The Rangers could be looking for some offensive fire power in the middle of the season. They lost Vladimir Guerrero but did add Adrian Beltre. 

The Rangers will definitely be in contention for a playoff spot and adding Pujols would put them as a lock for AL West champs. 

Michael Young wants to be traded so there is a solid piece to begin trade talks with. 

4. Tampa Bay Rays

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 12: Manager Joe Maddon #70 of the Tampa Bay Rays talks with some reporters during batting practice before the start of Game 5 of the ALDS against the Texas Rangers at Tropicana Field on October 12, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Flo

The Tampa Bay Rays have to compete with two of the best teams in baseball. The Rays have gotten better over the last five years. They've given the Yankees and Red Sox quite a scare in the AL East. 

This year both of those teams greatly improved their teams in the off season. The Rays lost some key players, but they did add Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez. Will those two guys be enough to propel the Rays to division champs? 

If Albert Pujols doesn't sign a new contract, expect the Rays to make an offer. They have a ton of draft picks this year as well as a good farm system. It would take a lot to get Pujols, but the Rays wouldn't be afraid to do what it takes to get the huge star. 

Maybe then fans will show up to games more. 

3. Chicago Cubs

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CHICAGO - MAY 30: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates a home run as Geovany Soto #18 the Chicago Cubs looks on on May 30, 2010 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

A deal within the division? No way this would happen, right? 

It wouldn't make much sense for the Cardinals to ship Pujols to a team within the division; however, if the Cardinals are trading away Pujols, they are essentially trading away their season. He is their best player and without him they would not be a playoff team. 

Pujols will test free agency after this season if no deal is made. Therefore, trading him away is the best option so you could get something for his excellent value.

Pujols probably wouldn't resign with the Cubs anyway. St. Louis could take a bunch of the Cubs' top prospects. The Cubs would benefit from the deal for this season only. Teams give up players in hopes of winning now all the time.  

2. Los Angeles Angels

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BOSTON - AUGUST 19: Torii Hunter #48 and Jeff Mathis #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim celebrate the win over the Boston Red Sox on August 19, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 7-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty

The Angels would greatly benefit from picking up Albert Pujols. They lack an elite super star player, and would be willing to deal anything for Pujols. They're not like other teams out there that would be hesitant in giving up a top player or prospect. 

The Angels don't get great production from first base and would like to improve that. They're going to be in the hunt for the playoffs this season, and adding Pujols to their roster would sky rocket them to being potential favorites in the AL West, especially if they can keep Tori Hunter and Vernon Wells.

That may be too difficult to do but still a possibility. Wells just signed a big deal with the Angels and I doubt the Cardinals will want to deal with that. If they trade away Pujols they're looking towards their future, which means prospects. 

1. Kansas City Royals

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ATLANTA - JUNE 20: Manager Ned Yost #2 of the Kansas City Royals against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on June 20, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals have a great farm system. Their top prospect is Eric Hosmer who just so happens to play first base. He would have to be included in any type of trade for Albert Pujols. 

Their top pitching prospects, John Lamb and Mike Montgomery, are both lefties, which are hard to come by these days. One of these guys, possibly both, would need to be in the Pujols deal.

I don't see the Royals being able to resign Pujols, even though he did play some college ball at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City. That still doesn't mean Kansas City would deal for him in the hopes of winning this season.

The Royals aren't a terrible team, especially with solid off season pick ups in Jeff Francis, Melky Cabrera, and Jeff Francoeur. Adding Pujols would put them in contention in the AL Central.