Albert Pujols: Latest Chatter on the Machine's Free Agency

This may be one of the most exciting free-agent classes in recent memory, headlined by one of the current best Major League Baseball players, Albert Pujols.

As the face of the St. Louis Cardinals for the past decade, Pujols could be in line for one of the biggest contracts in recent history, even though he is now 31.

Let's take a look at some of the most interesting developments around this monumental free agency.

The Cubs Might Go after Him?

Mike Wilbon of ESPN provided a situation where that might happen. Therefore, I realize it definitely isn't a rumor from an inside source, but it is a story that is out there.

It also is an interesting thought. The Cubs have a lot of money that will be freed up after this season from expiring contracts, as Wilbon mentioned. They could be in a position to offer a lot of money to Albert Pujols.

However, I really do not see this happening just because I can't imagine him going to such a bitter rival when he told Jayson Stark of ESPN, "I want to be a Cardinal forever."

However, I wanted to mention that this story is out there and has quite a bit of online momentum.

The Value of His Contract Could Possibly Hit $300 Million over 10 Years

Jonah Keri of Grantland.com proposed a few days ago that a 10-year, $300 million contract "can't be ruled out" for Albert Pujols. He cites the fact that Pujols is going to be extremely marketable. He will be hitting his 600th home run somewhere during the next 10 years, assuming there is no catastrophe—maybe he will even make a run at 700.

All of this being said, whoever signs him will automatically have a very dynamic and exciting player on the team that fans will love. Even though he would be a very large investment, his marketability would help win the fans back.

He Might Follow Jim Hendry

According to William Browning of Yahoo.com, Jim Hendry, the former general manager of the Chicago Cubs, might have a friendship with Albert Pujols. While it does not seem very clear to me how close they really are, many fans have cited the fact they hugged before a game earlier this season.

I know this is a lot of speculation, but maybe they really are friends.

If Hendry finds a new team, maybe that will impact where Pujols signs. I kind of doubt that it will mean anything in terms of cash, but if there are two comparable offers from comparable teams, maybe it would sway Pujols.

However, I really do not think this one will matter that much because there are several other factors that matter more.

This Season Might Have Hurt His Value

Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Dispatch posed the question as to whether or not this season has lessened the value of Albert Pujols' future contract. Most who answered seem to think that it will.

He is still having an amazing year, though, by most standards, batting .295 with 34 home runs and 85 RBIs so far. I know these numbers are probably the worst of his career, but that just reemphasizes how amazing his career has been so far.

Maybe this year will have hurt his value a little bit, but the competition on the market for him as well as Prince Fielder might inflate his value right back to where he was before.

He Will Probably End Up Back in St. Louis

This is kind of a boring proposition. That could kind of ruin the hunt. However, I do not think that they will allow the face of the franchise to walk away that easily.

Jon Heyman of SI said re-signing Pujols will be a "priority." Jeff Gordon, as one of the respondents in the St. Louis Dispatch article by Roger Hensley, said paying Pujols a lot of money for the end of his career "makes sense." According to Jonah Keri of Grantland.com, the Cardinals have even talked about offering Pujols an ownership share.

I think the Cardinals will end up bringing back their star. Even though these are not the days of Mike Schmidt and Cal Ripken, Jr., Pujols join that group of players who played their entire career with one team.