MLB Trade Ideas: 10 New Homes for Albert Pujols If Cards' Slow Start Snowballs
The official contract talks between Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals may be on hold at this point, but that certainly hasn't slowed down the speculation regarding his future.
Even though the Cardinals and Pujols appear to be a significant amount apart at this point, most people still seem to believe that a deal will get done.
If however a deal is not reached, Pujols will become quite possibly one of the most talented free agents to hit the market in recent history.
With a player of his caliber, the talent level and cost are so dramatically high that it's hard to pinpoint exactly who could and would make a strong push for Pujols.
While any team in the league would benefit from his services, there are a number of teams which it would be significantly more feasible for.
Chicago Cubs
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The Chicago Cubs have some of the most passionate fans in all of professional sports. For decades the Cubs were THE team to watch in Chicago as fans stood by their team through thick and thin.
Lately it appears that it's been too thin. Attendance is down and it would appear that so are the hopes of the North-Siders fans. It's hard to blame them after being let down so many times, but there is reason to believe that things could turn around.
With a talented (albeit enigmatic) pitching staff and some talented young infielders the team may very well be headed in the right direction.
A trade within the division would seem highly unlikely, but if the talks between the Cardinals and Pujols are at an impasse as the season progresses, the team may feel forced into making a move in order to ensure a return on their loss.
Oakland Athletics
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Having been absent from the postseason since 2006, fans in Oakland are eager to see their team re-emerge as a West Coast power.
The Athletics have a group of talented players on their team but still appear to be the third best team in the AL West behind both Texas and Anaheim.
First baseman Daric Barton is a career .250 hitter and could be packaged along with a few other players in an effort to bring Pujols to Oakland.
With a 2011 payroll hovering around $63 million it would appear that general manager Billy Beane would have some room to work with in getting a deal done.
Washington Nationals
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The Washington Nationals proved that they're certainly not afraid to spend money in signing outfielder Jayson Werth to a lucrative contract extension this past offseason.
With two of the most heralded prospects in recent memory in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper it certainly seems that the Nationals have what it takes to make an impact in the league.
The management may feel compelled to continue the spending trend in an effort to compete for the NL East crown.
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San Francisco Giants
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What could the San Francisco Giants possibly do to improve on a World Series championship? Adding Albert Pujols might qualify as an improvement.
The Giants to have the current heir apparent at first base in Brandon Belt, but if an opportunity to bring Albert Pujols into the mix to accompany the solid pitching that San Francisco has to offer became available, the management would likely consider such a move that could vault the Giants to yet another title.
New York Yankees
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It seems unlikely that the New York Yankees would seek out the services of Albert Pujols, but at the same time the team seems to be in the conversation anytime a big name is available.
There isn't any indication that Mark Teixeira would ever move from first base, and while that's ultimately where Albert Pujols would prefer to play he has appeared in the outfield in over 300 games and could find a home there.
Another asset on the side of the Yankees is depth in the farm system. The team has indicated that Dellin Betances wouldn't be made available to any suitors, but those thoughts can often change if the right package is presented.
Texas Rangers
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Despite a World Series trip in 2010 for the Texas Rangers, many felt that the team would take a step back in 2011.
The team was unable to retain Cliff Lee during the offseason and lost Vladamir Guerrero to Baltimore. The Rangers did sign Adrian Beltre to hold down the hot corner, signing the third baseman to a five-year, $80 million contract.
Perhaps one of the main reasons that a Pujols deal could work with the Rangers is that very deal. In bringing in Beltre, longtime Ranger Michael Young was suddenly the odd-man out. At one point this offseason Michael Young actually requested a trade, stating that he felt "misled and manipulated".
Young could help solidify the infield for the Cardinals, and Pujols would be part of a devastatingly dangerous combination along with Josh Hamilton.
Detroit Tigers
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In order for a deal for Pujols to make any sense for the Tigers a number of things would have to happen.
The team already has an All-Star first baseman in Miguel Cabrera and seems prepared to at least somewhat build a franchise around his talent.
At the same time, Cabrera has become somewhat of a liability. Just days before the start of spring training in February, Cabrera was arrested for driving under the influence and resisting arrest.
This isn't the first time Cabrera has had legal issues since joining the Tigers, but the team hopes it will be his last.
They're vowing to stand by Cabrera if he's willing to get help, but you'd have to think that another serious indiscretion could be the last straw.
If Cabrera were to be moved they'd have a lot of offense to replace, and we all know that Albert Pujols would be a formidable replacement.
Baltimore Orioles
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In a division that typically sees them holding down the back of the pack, the Baltimore Orioles have emerged early this season.
It's clearly too early to read too much into the early returns, but it is apparent that the Orioles want to make a splash in the league this season.
The team found new life upon appointing Buck Showalter as manager last season, and that momentum appears to have carried over at least for now.
The team brought in sluggers Derrek Lee and Vladamir Guerrero to accompany a talented pitching staff. With both players signed to one-year contracts the team will likely need to find a long-term source for power, and an acquisition of Albert Pujols would fill that void while creating an excitement in Baltimore that hasn't been seen in years.
Los Angeles Dodgers
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With the public divorce proceedings of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, it almost seems like the Dodgers are mentioned for off the field issues more than on the field performance.
McCourt has a payroll approaching $120 million for 2011, but could have a good deal of salary off the books as three of the top six paid players will be free agents after this season and two more eligible for free agency.
First baseman James Loney hasn't reached .300 since 2007, potentially proving that the organization may be wise to consider an offer for Pujols, as his services would certainly bring about a greatly increased production to the roster and a new found loyalty from the Dodgers faithful.
New York Mets
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Being in one of the largest media markets in the nation, the New York Mets are under a constant microscope and are often the source of scrutiny.
The team has failed to live up to expectations after a number of high-profile acquisitions haven't produced the anticipated returns. A couple of examples:
Johan Santana: 40 combined wins since 2008; $60 million in salary over the three seasons.
Carlos Beltran: 145 total games played since 2009; $37 million in salary over the two seasons.
The team could make amends if they were to bring in a player of the caliber of Pujols. Although many think that a player can't possibly produce value worth $30 million per season (one MLB GM called such a move asinine), Pujols' play hasn't given any indication that his stock will rapidly drop in the foreseeable future.
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