Why the Giants Are Albert Pujols' Best Option

Albert Pujols in a Giants uniform? Too expensive, you say. The Giants don't have enough money.

He'll probably re-sign with the Cardinals. Even if he was to go elsewhere, it'd be too much of an investment in one player, and too risky for the Giants.

The Giants should go after two or three cheaper players who could give the offense a lift.

These are some of the reasons given for Albert Pujols not becoming a San Francisco Giant in 2012. Here are nine reasons that he very well could wear the Orange and Black next season...

1. The Cardinals Are in a State of Flux

As much as the Cardinals and Albert Pujols would love to reach an agreement whereby Pujols could remain in St. Louis for the rest of his career, the chances of that happening are limited by the fact that Tony La Russa may also be on his way out.

La Russa and the Cardinals have a mutual option for 2012 in his contract, the exercise of which may depend on several factors, including the fact that Chicago White Sox GM Jerry Reinsdorf, who La Russa is reportedly still very close with, wants to lure the Cardinals' skipper to Chicago if Ozzie Guillen leaves this offseason.

With La Russa's future uncertain, as well as a five-season drought since the Cardinals' last world championship, Albert Pujols may be ready to move on.

According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, the Cardinals aren't getting their hopes too high about being able to re-sign their slugging first baseman:

"Cardinals people told others in baseball that one reason they couldn't seriously entertain trade offers for Lance Berkman at the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline is that they needed to try their best to keep Berkman for the 2012 season because they are unsure whether they can keep Pujols."

2. The Dodgers as a Franchise Are a Mess

One of the clubs that may be interested in Pujols this winter is the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But the mess that the franchise currently finds itself in, with the Frank McCourt ownership difficulties that have included filing for bankruptcy and a threatened takeover of the team by the MLB, Pujols may be very wary of making a move to L.A.

3. The Cubs Don't Have Any Pitching

The Cubs have been the club mentioned most in the Albert Pujols free-agent discussion, but the fact is, if Pujols wants to have a legitimate chance at getting back to a World Series, Wrigley Field may not be the best destination for him.

Cubs pitching in 2011 has been atrocious. They rank 15th out of 16 N.L. clubs in team ERA (4.44), and opponents are hitting .265 against them. Chicago has yielded the second-most runs (705) in the league and has issued the most walks (518).

By signing with Chicago, Pujols could very well be resigning his fate to several losing seasons in the near future.

4. The Nationals Are Still in a Building-Mode

The Washington Nationals are another team that may be in the Albert Pujols free-agent mix this offseason, and they have much to look forward to in 2012, including a full season of flame-throwing starter Stephen Strasburg as well as the further development of phenom slugger Bryce Harper.

But the Nationals are still in a building/development-mode, and it may take them several years to become competitive.

Albert Pujols would certainly help make the Nats more competitive, but with Washington playing in the NL East, the Phillies and Braves will make it very difficult for them to reach the postseason.

As with the Dodgers and Cubs, winning in Washington will be difficult, and Pujols, while he could certainly continue to flourish individually, may find it difficult to get back to playing October baseball.

5. The Orioles Would Need Much More Than Pujols to Win

In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles are considered another team that may have some interest in signing Albert Pujols this winter.

While manager Buck Showalter had the Orioles jump out to a fast start in 2011, Baltimore has faded and regressed back to its former self, currently occupying last place in the AL East with a 58-88 record.

The Orioles will need a lot more than Albert Pujols alone to be able to overcome the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in one of the toughest divisions in baseball.

Pujols will surely consider the unlikely postseason prospects in Baltimore when determining where to take his services in 2012.

6. The Rangers Are a Competitive Club, but They Already Have Offense

The Texas Rangers may be in the market for a first baseman this offseason, and with Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder in the free-agent pool, a first baseman is a hot commodity.

The Rangers already have one of the best offenses in the game. Texas is third in all of baseball in runs scored (765), first in team batting average (.279) and second in team slugging percentage (.452).

Adding Pujols to the Rangers lineup would make them even more lethal, but Texas may have to focus attention on the pitching staff this winter, especially if starter C.J.Wilson, who is also a free-agent, leaves town.

The Rangers currently rank 15th in MLB in team ERA (3.89), and to remain competitive, especially against an NL team should Texas reach the World Series in the next couple of years, they'll need to upgrade that pitching staff.

Albert Pujols will likely command over $200 million, and the Rangers just may not be able to afford him and pitching upgrades.

7. Pujols Loves Hitting at AT&T Park

Albert Pujols loves hitting at AT&T Park. From 2008-2010, Pujols hit .457 (16-for-35) with four doubles, four home runs and seven RBI at the ballpark by the Bay.

As pitcher-friendly as AT&T Park may be, that doesn't seem to bother Pujols one bit.

8. The Giants Appear to Have the Money

The Giants have approximately $46 million potentially coming off the books in 2012 with the free agency of players like Cody Ross, Mark DeRosa, Pat Burrell, Orlando Cabrera and Guillermo Mota.

San Francisco has also seen a huge jump in revenues from selling out every home game thus far this season, as well as the viral sale of team merchandise.

Howard Bryant of ESPN said the following of San Francisco's financial position as the club heads into the offseason:

"The Giants are so well-positioned financially that the front office needs to do only one thing to stay competitive: its job. General manager Brian Sabean has the ballpark, the interest, the resources and the pitching to retool and redesign his offense."

The time for the Giants to sign a power hitter to anchor the middle of the lineup long-term is now, as the financial resources seem to exist, and this chance may not come around again any time soon.

9. With Pujols, the Giants Would Be World Series Contenders for Years to Come

With Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong all anticipated as the top four starters in San Francisco's pitching rotation in 2012, as well as a healthy bullpen with Sergio Romo and Brian Wilson, the Giants promise to once again boast of the premier pitching staff, top to bottom, in baseball.

With the return of Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez, along with the rejuvenated Pablo Sandoval, Albert Pujols could find himself with an organization that will have a chance to reach the World Series for years to come.

Out of All the Choices Pujols Will Have This Winter, the Giants Are the Best Fit

For the first time in his career, Albert Pujols will have to weigh whether to leave St. Louis.

San Francisco would be a great fit for him, as a Pujols-Giants marriage has the potential to lead to multiple championships by the Bay in the years to come.