Albert Pujols Free Agency Rumors: 5 Reasons He's Staying with the Cardinals

Albert Pujols just helped the St. Louis Cardinals win their second World Series ring in only five years. It will almost guarantee he's staying after this season.

He's probably going to Disneyland, but that's just a guess.

You can squash all the rumors and speculation that Pujols is leaving town—the only MLB town he's ever known, at that.

Chances are slim he'll go to Chicago or any other place because he is already in a good situation with the Cardinals.

Here are five reasons why Pujols will never leave St. Louis.

Ready-Made Situation in St. Louis

If one thing is for certain, it's that the St. Louis Cardinals could be primed to win another World Series in 2012.

With most of their major pieces already returning, and the addition of a healthy Adam Wainright, the Cards should be able to make another run next year.

That being said, it would be foolish for Pujols to leave. There isn't another team out there who will want his bat in their line up that is more ready-made than St. Louis.

I doubt at this point in his career Pujols will want to start all over again when he has a winning team right now.

Great Fan Base

In places like Chicago, New York and Boston, to name a few, fans are unbelievably harsh on even their best players.

All those cities have one thing in common: It's a what have you done for me lately? attitude toward their favorite athletes.

It's not like that in St. Louis.

The Cardinals fans are much more laid back and appreciate their favorite sports stars a little more than some of the bigger cities I mentioned. They don't get on every little thing a guy does; win once, and you're a hero forever.

That makes it an enjoyable place to play for a guy like Pujols who always has the spotlight shining brightly on him.

I think Pujols would be surprised to find that kind of atmosphere is not so common place if he left to a bigger market.

Pujols is Straight Money in the Playoffs

In the playoffs, he was a little more Pujols-like than he was in the regular season. He hit .353 with five home runs and 16 RBI in the 2011 postseason.

In his career, Pujols is hitting a ridiculous .330, with 18 home runs and 52 RBI in 74 career playoff games.

Pujols is money, simple and plain. He gets big hits in big spots, even bashing three home runs during a World Series game this year.

That's something only the truly special can do.

Pujols is in that special class in the playoffs and every team in the MLB would kill to have that.

St. Louis might not be where they are today without him, and the Cardinals can't possibly want to let that go.

Pujols Will Break Several Records

Albert Pujols is on pace to be an all-time player in MLB history.

When you break records, extra attention by means of television exposure and media coverage as a whole come with that territory.

That can often bring in more fans and money to your team alone, whether the whole team is good or not.

Pujols will break records and reach milestones at a fast pace. He is already 55 home runs away from 500, a goal he should reach very early in 2013.

If he can keep up the pace he has sustained thus far in his career, there will be many more great milestones to follow.

Even if Pujols' bat isn't relevant in his late-30s, early-40s, he will still be bringing in money and exposure when he goes for those milestones.

So don't always assume a big contract that keeps him with the Birds until he's 42 is such a bad thing for the team.

It simply isn't always the case.

Pujols is Worth Every Penny

Just look at all his attributes and you'll understand why Pujols is worth every cent he will get.

There is nobody in the league today who can do everything Pujols does.

He isn't just an offensive juggernaut, he can play great defense at first base as well.

Pujols doesn't just call it a season after 162 games, he comes to play every year he is in the playoffs, which is more than I can say for other high-paid playoff busts (Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira).

Pujols is also already on pace to be an all-time great in MLB history and will always attract attention to his team, even if they aren't relevant for a season.

Not to mention, Pujols keeps his nose clean and has a "good guy" persona around the league.

Add up all these things and you can conclude there is no reason why Pujols doesn't deserve the richest contract in the league today.

He is certainly better than A-Rod, and has accomplished more than the troubled slugger without all the distractions. Pujols is the best player in baseball, and it's time he gets paid as such.

All of his qualities that I listed above are impossible to find in one player, and that makes Pujols one of a kind. You don't let a player like that go.

I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, Pujols deserves the big contract he has coming to him.

Congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on winning the 2011 World Series.

It was well earned.