MLB Trade Rumors: Why the Miami Marlins Should Pass on Albert Pujols

No longer does the Miami Marlins organization have short arms and deep pockets. Instead of keeping some more of those funds and signing some more developing minor league prospects, the Marlins organization is taking a completely different step in the right direction by openly pursuing already proven stars.

New York Mets free agent Jose Reyes has already received an offer and they have given Chicago White Sox ace Mark Buehrle and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols a chance to check out what could be their new surroundings as well as their new management.

Obtaining Reyes would be huge to the Marlins who are in need of a leadoff man, but obtaining Mark Buehrle may be the most significant signing that they'll have to make rather than signing Albert Pujols.

The Marlins are in desperate need of another ace behind Josh Johnson and with Ricky Nolasco, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez rounding out the rest of the rotation, Buehrle would be a tremendous step-up.

Buehrle is coming off of another solid season with the White Sox where he finished the season 13-9, the fourth consecutive season that he has had at least 13 wins, lowered his ERA to 3.59, while striking out 109 and winning the Gold Glove.

The Marlins lacked greatly in starting pitching last season with Johnson only playing in nine games and only two starters with at least 10 wins.

There's no questioning that Pujols would be an excellent addition to a Marlins club that is attempting to build up hype leading into the new stadium and the overall new look, but does this team honestly want to shell out $100 million-plus to a 31-year-old whose best years are behind him?

Pujols will put fans in the seats, but there are other needs to be addressed for the Marlins who should be looking for pitching above all.

Not to mention that the Marlins already have one of the league's top up and coming power hitters in Mike Stanton who hit a career-high 34 home runs last season. The team was also supported by Gaby Sanchez' 19 homers and Logan Morrison's 23. On a team where five players had at least 10 home runs, shelling out the money for a player like Pujols would be better used on strengthening the pitching staff.