Albert Pujols: 10 Teams That Would Give Him the Money He Wants As a Free Agent
Albert Pujols Would Have Plenty of Suitors This Offseason
Albert Pujols seems destined for free agency now that his pre-spring training deadline has passed.
And even though Phat Albert is 31, few teams should hesitate to give him an enormously long and enormously rich contract.
Now the sticking point with the Cardinals seems to be that he wants 10 years and it doesn't seem likely that ANY team would shell out another A-rod-like deal.
But after negotiations, he and a team other than the Cardinals should be able to hammer out a deal.
10. Florida Marlins
1 of 10
Likelihood: Very Low
Isn't it about time for another shocking Marlins World Series run?
Of course it was under different ownership, but if the Marlins wanted to buy another title, they could start with Pujols.
Even more so than trying to land one of the stud free-agent pitchers we've seen in recent years (C.C. Sabathia, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee), bringing in an everyday star like Pujols could really energize a fan base that sorely needs one.
Perhaps unloading Dan Uggla was the start of saving for Pujols? Highly unlikely, but they still more of a shot than Pittsburgh, Kansas City or most other teams.
9. Baltimore Orioles
2 of 10
Likelihood: Low
Perhaps the Orioles are starting to realize that the only way they are going to contend for an AL East title is to try to spend near Red Sox/Yankees money.
Of course, they can't and won't be able to keep pace with those two Evil Empires, but signing Pujols would more than make the deficit.
Baltimore has started to show they are committing to winning, signing Vlad Guerrero and Derrek Lee and trading for Mark Reynolds.
Depending on Pujols desires, they could stick him at DH after Vlad's one-year deal ends or let him play first after Lee's one-year deal ends.
8. Philadelphia Phillies
3 of 10
Likelihood: Low
Certainly Ryan Howard is doing a pretty good job at first, assuming you think 40 homers, 130 RBI and a .280 average is pretty good.
So while it doesn't seem likely that they'd go after Pujols, whom thought they'd go after, let alone sign Cliff Lee when they had such a stacked rotation.
Maybe Pujols could go to the outfield or even back to third base. Maybe they could stick Howard in left field.
Regardless, these days, don't discount the Phillies when it comes to ANY free agent.
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7. Chicago White Sox
4 of 10
Likelihood: Low
The White Sox probably can't afford him now that they signed Adam Dunn and re-signed Paul Konerko. They probably don't have a place to put him.
But don't think they wouldn't consider moving one of those two if it meant completely showing up the Cubs and signing the former Cardinal.
The Chicago market is big enough for the White Sox to pony up the money for Pujols. Since they seem to be in the hunt for the AL Central every year, this would definitely make them the favorite in 2012, no matter what the Twins and Tigers' rosters look like.
6. Washington Nationals
5 of 10
Likelihood: Medium
Although they've been outspent this offseason by their Beltway neighbor, the Nationals have shown interest in becoming a free-agency player.
They were reportedly active in pursuing Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke and, of course, threw a whole lot of money at Jayson Werth.
Pairing Werth and Pujols together would give them a very potent lineup that, with a healthy Stephen Strasburg, could lead to the surprise MLB playoff team of the 2012 season.
Remember, they only signed Adam LaRoche to a two-year deal: That shouldn't prevent them from inquiring about Pujols.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers
6 of 10
Likelihood: Medium
Manny Ramirez's arrival in SoCal in 2008 was an immense hit.
He brought the Dodgers some tremendous credibility with the fans and the media....even though "credibility" and "Manny Ramirez" don't usually go in the same sentence.
Adding Pujols would steal a lot of the Giants' World Series-champion thunder and give them a great bat to contend against San Fran's awesome rotation.
And since the Dodgers don't seem to want to pay James Loney several million, they could be plotting for a run at AP this winter.
4. Los Angeles Angels
7 of 10
Likelihood: Good
For over a decade now, the Angels have shown a penchant for going after big-name free agents: Torii Hunter, Vlad Guerrero, Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, etc.
Of course, they seemed to be major players in the Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
Although a pitcher might make more sense, the Angels wouldn't pass up a chance to show up the Yankees and Red Sox in the free-agent market.
And if Pujols does want to stay at first and not DH, they probably wouldn't hesitate to move Kendry Morales.
3. New York Mets
8 of 10
Likelihood: Good
The Mets are starting over with a new regime. And since they don't seem to want to commit to Carlos Beltran or Jose Reyes, they could be looking down the road at signing Pujols.
He would be the star that the Mets need to contend with the Yankees for headlines.
More important, he would provide a bat they sorely need against the great rotations in Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Maybe the Mets like Ike Davis, but not enough to pass up a shot at Pujols, who would make every New York fan forget about the disastrous Mo Vaughn era.
2. Chicago Cubs
9 of 10
Likelihood: Good
Payback for the Lou Brock-Ernie Broglio trade? Maybe.
But more likely it would make leap the Cubs high above the Cardinals in terms of the NL Central race and would demoralize St. Louis fans for years to come, especially when the Cubs roll into Busch Stadium nine times every year.
And Pujols in Wrigley? The fans would love it and have no problem transferring their allegiance.
Carlos Pena might be a place-holder since he signed a one-year deal.
1. New York Yankees
10 of 10
Likelihood: Great
No explanation needed here.
The Yankees might be in the free-agent market for Peyton Manning and Carmelo Anthony.
Even if Brian Cashman doesn't think it's good business, there's no way the Yankees let him sign with another AL club, assuming they really want him.
And make no mistake: There will be pressure to sign him this offseason, perhaps to offset the loss of an opting-out C.C. Sabathia.
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