Albert Pujols: 10 Reasons He Should Stay With the St. Louis Cardinals
Earlier this week, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and free agent to-be Albert Pujols set a deadline for team management. If he and the front office could not come to terms on a long-term extension by noon on Wednesday, February 16, he would halt negotiations and test the free agent market at season's end.
Needless to say, the Cardinals would be foolish not to give Pujols his money. He is the face of their franchise and the most popular player on the team. Here are 10 reasons that if Pujols becomes a free agent he should remain in St. Louis
No. 10: Matt Holliday
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In July 2009, the Cardinals gave Pujols some protection in the lineup by acquiring All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday from the Oakland Athletics. That offseason, the team ensured Pujols would still have that protection when they signed Holliday to a seven-year contract worth $120 million.
On top of being a powerful tandem in the Cardinals starting lineup, Pujols and Holliday seem to get along very well off of the field too. Recently, Holliday said that he would be willing to defer some of his salary if it meant bringing Pujols back. That's a true teammate right there!
Plus, as good as Matt Holliday is, he just doesn't have the bat skills to produce as much as Pujols. If Pujols loves St. Louis as much as he claims, he should have no problem re-signing and continuing to produce with his exceptional teammate.
No. 9: Tony La Russa
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Based on recent comments he made to the press, one would think that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is a reason that Pujols should test the open market. In a sense, La Russa said that he felt the MLBPA was pressuring Pujols to reach an agreement with the team in order to "raise the salary bar" for future contracts. La Russa called this approach "bull****."
Still, La Russa is one of the main reasons Pujols should stay with the Cardinals. The man has been his manager since his rookie year in 2001, and has been his biggest advocate.
Yet, one reason Pujols may be considering free agency is the uncertainty surrounding his manager's future with the team. Currently, La Russa has one year remaining on his contract along with an option for 2012. If team management were able to provide a guarantee that Tony La Russa would be managing the team in 2012 and perhaps beyond, it would give Pujols more incentive to stay.
No. 8: Team Leadership
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I'm not saying the other veterans on the St. Louis Cardinals aren't valuable presences in the clubhouse, but Pujols has been the leader of the team for a number of seasons already.
Many of the young players look to him for mentorship, and he is always one to put the team on his back when needed. He is the voice in that clubhouse and were he to leave, it would be devastating for the franchise.
No. 7: His Family
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Pujols and his wife Deirdre have been married since 2000 and have four children together, one of whom has Down's Syndrome. On top of that, while most players have their offseason homes far from the city in which they play, the Pujols family lives year-round in the St. Louis suburb of Wildwood, Missouri.
Plus, Pujols is a family man. Whatever decision he makes, it won't be all about the money. It will be about what he thinks is best for his wife and children. Given his ties to the community, I don't see him packing up and leaving for another spot.
No. 6: Business Interests
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When he isn't making moves on the field at Busch Stadium, Pujols is an active member in businesses in the St. Louis area. He is a part owner of the restaurant Pujols 5, located in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Also, he is a long-time donor for the Albert Pujols Wellness Center for Adults with Down Syndrome in Chesterfield, Missouri.
The latter isn't really a business interest, but the name becomes kind of redundant and irrelevant if Pujols isn't a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. Regarding the restaurant, nothing hurts a business more than absentee ownership. He should stay in St. Louis and be hands-on!
No. 5: He Is The Most Popular Player in Team History
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When people think of the St. Louis Cardinals, names like Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial come to mind. Yet, before those two are even considered, the first thought that comes to mind is Albert Pujols.
Simply put, Pujols is the most popular player in the history of the franchise as well as possibly the best player. He has won three National League MVP Awards, won two Gold Gloves at first base, and helped the team win a World Series in 2006. Were he to leave, it would truly be the end of an era not just in St. Louis, but in baseball history.
No. 4: Lack of Funds From Any Other Team
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Throughout this process, it has been implied that Albert Pujols is looking for "A-Rod money." Long story short, he wants a record-setting contract that could potentially make him the highest-paid player in baseball. Sorry, Albert, but it looks like the Cardinals are one of the few teams that could make this a reality!
Don't get me wrong. There are many teams that will have needs at first base in 2012, but they just won't have the money necessary to lure a top name like Pujols. Even the ones who may be able to swing the money will be in smaller markets and if Pujols truly wants to win, he will stay in St. Louis. He may not get A-Rod money, but he'll be on a team that consistently contends.
No. 3: Mentorship for the Young Players
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If there's one thing that the St. Louis Cardinals do well, it's utilization of prospects. Players like outfielder Colby Rasmus and third baseman David Freese (pictured at left) have done a fine job of rising through the ranks and making the major league roster.
Instrumental in these young players' development was none other than Pujols. He helped them with the transition to the major leagues and, like he has been in the clubhouse for years, acted as a mentor to them.
Despite how he may appear during these negotiations, Pujols is a classy guy. He loves his team and his teammates and if the Cardinals can promise that they'll continue to use their farm system well, he should have no problem staying on.
No. 2: St. Louis Cardinals Fans
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Ever since he burst on the scene in 2001, Cardinals fans have loved Albert Pujols. Honestly, they have zero reason not to. He has done nothing but help the team and is legitimately fun to watch.
During his tenure in St. Louis, the fans have come up with some very colorful nicknames for Pujols. Here are a few: Prince Albert, King Albert and my personal favorite, Phat Albert. Those nicknames just scream love and respect.
Were Pujols to leave, Busch Stadium would be silent for most home games. The life would just be sucked out of the fans. The only time they would show signs of life would be if he came to the stadium with his new team and they booed him without mercy.
As was evidenced by the Chris Duncan saga in 2009, hell hath no fury like an angry group of Cardinals fans! Pujols should give a little back to the fans by staying with the team.
No. 1: Loyalty
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In 2001, Albert Pujols was not expected to be a starter on the Cardinals' major league roster, but rather at Triple-A Memphis. Yet, he had an outstanding spring training and due to injuries to regular players, he made the opening-day roster. The rest, as they say, is history.
After making an immediate impact, he became a regular in the lineup. On any other team, he would have been pushed aside once the regular starters were healthy again. Instead, team management stuck with him and watched him turn into the best player in Major League Baseball. In a sense, they believed in him when any other team would have put him on the bench or sent him back to the minors.
Given that, it would be a slap in the face to St. Louis management if Pujols were to walk just because of a contract dispute. The fact is that he owes all of his success to the franchise, and staying in St. Louis would be the right thing to do both professionally and career-wise for him.
