MLB Free Agency: 4 Reasons Albert Pujols Will Stay in St. Louis

Move over, Alex Rodriguez. Albert Pujols will soon be taking your place as the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball.

And he will be doing so playing for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 2011 World Series Champions will have to open up the checkbook to keep their All-Star first baseman. Expect many suitors to challenge the Cardinals for the best player in baseball.

However, pencil in Pujols in the starting lineup for St. Louis on Opening Day 2012.

Here's why. 

The Cardinals Are a 2012 World Series Favorite

If Albert Pujols stays with St. Louis, the Cardinals are instantly a favorite to repeat as World Series Champions.

Actually, they will be even better.

Matt Holliday, Jaime Garcia, Chris Carpenter, David Freese, Lance Berkman and others will be back for St. Louis. The Cardinals will also welcome the return of Adam Wainwright from Tommy John surgery.

The Central Division in the National League is shaping up to be very winnable for St. Louis. The Milwaukee Brewers will lose Prince Fielder to free agency, leaving the toughest competition without its best hitter for 2012.

As a result, Pujols has the power to turn an underdog champion into the first repeat World Series Champion since the New York Yankees in 2000. 

The Yankees and Red Sox Are Set at First Base

The St. Louis Cardinals picked a great year to have the contract of Albert Pujols expire.

During the majority of offseasons, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees would be favorites to acquire the best hitter in baseball.

However, the Yankees are set with first baseman Mark Teixeira for the long haul. The Red Sox are likewise committed to Adrian Gonzalez.

As a result, the two largest payrolls in Major League Baseball are not inhibitors to the Cardinals re-signing Pujols.

That makes the job of general manager John Mozeliak much easier. 

The Cardinals Are the Practical Fit

Let us consider the other options for Albert Pujols.

The Washington Nationals have been mentioned. However, the Nationals are years away from contending for a World Series, and seem content to grow their own stars with Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.

The Chicago Cubs are a player, but an overall lack of talent and yearly underachieving keep Pujols away. Theo Epstein would be more likely to sign the younger Prince Fielder.

The San Francisco Giants have the young pitching talent to attract valuable free agents. However, Pujols would have more lineup protection if he stayed in St. Louis.

The market is thin, considering the best player in baseball is a free agent. There are significant flaws with every contender with the exception of St. Louis.

Pujols has the chance to get paid, win more championships and cement his Hall of Fame status in a city which he has called home for his whole career. 

There's No Place Like Home

Leaving St. Louis is a risky proposition for Albert Pujols.

While he is the most feared hitter in the game, Pujols is 32 and his skills are going to diminish before the end of a new contract.

Fans in other cities of teams who might make a run at the first baseman would not be empathetic toward King Albert's depreciated stock. Fans expecting a franchise-changer will be quite disappointed with declined production from Pujols over the next few years. 

That could make for an ugly end to a surefire Hall of Fame career in a new city.

In St. Louis, Pujols will remain beloved regardless of decreased production. He has brought two World Series Championships to the Redbirds, and baseball fans in St. Louis are often described as the best in the country.

By staying where he is, Pujols would get a key to the city of St. Louis and become a rare star who remains with one team for an entire career.