MLB Free Agency 2012: 5 Reasons Why Albert Pujols Should Join the Miami Marlins

The battle for Albert Pujols has reached a boiling point. The 31-year-old free agent has received multiple offers from teams looking to add a future first ballot Hall of Famer to their lineup.

There's the option of returning to the St. Louis Cardinals. If Pujols decides to stay there he will further entrench his legacy as not only one of the greatest baseball players ever, but maybe the greatest Cardinal ever.

There's the Chicago Cubs option. If Pujols doesn't think the Cardinals are giving him enough financially, he can cross state lines and stick it to them. Of course, this would put Pujols in borderline LeBron James territory in terms of most hated athletes as well.

Then there's the option of going to sunny Miami to become the next Miami Marlins' prized free agent acquisition. The Marlins are already stockpiling talent and with their brand new stadium, it looks like a very attractive option for Mr. Pujols.

The Marlins Are Suddenly Loaded with Talent

The Miami Marlins have been extremely active in free agency this offseason. They've already signed Jose Reyes to a six-year, $106 million contract, and they gave Heath Bell a three-year, $27 million contract to be their closer. It's also been said that the Marlins are in the running for C.J. Wilson, the best pitcher on the open market.

Not only are the Marlins adding talent, they already had pretty good players to begin with. Hanley Ramirez is a former All-Star who had a rough season last year, but he'll be moving to third base. The Marlins also have young outfielders like Mike Stanton and Logan Morrison who can tear the cover off the ball.

Then comes the addition of Pujols. This would make the Marlins lineup a nightmare for opposing pitching staffs. At the top of the Marlins order, they would first face on-base machines Reyes and Ramirez. Then, Pujols could drive them in with the protection of Stanton behind him. Everyone in that lineup would be a viable threat to launch the ball out of Marlins Ballpark.

While pitching still remains an issue, the Marlins could still have time to correct it. Well, that's assuming they don't use all their cash on Pujols.

Pujols Might Enjoy Playing for Ozzie Guillen

Shortly before the end of the 2011 season, the Miami Marlins announced that they were hiring Ozzie Guillen as their manager. A lot of people thought the Marlins would use Guillen as the main draw to their new stadium, but that was before the free agent bonanza.

Now with all of these free agents, there's one thing that can be assumed about Guillen: Players love playing for him. There wasn't a player in Chicago that trashed Guillen, and it seems like most of these free agents are coming solely to play for him.

Meanwhile the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny, who was a pretty good catcher during his career, but he has no major league managerial experience. Most players on the Cardinals might not know what to expect from Matheny, but Pujols could be assured that playing for a manager who has two World Series rings is a pretty safe bet.

Albert Pujols Would Play in the Marlins' New Ballpark

While I'm aware that's not the best picture in the world, one could be assured that the Marlins new ballpark is going to be awesome. This may just be from a fan perspective, but this thing looks sweet. What would be even sweeter is playing in this ballpark. That's what Pujols would get to do if he signed with the Marlins.

If Miami reaches their potential with the talent they've acquired, Pujols would be playing in front of a full house every night. Also, he doesn't have to worry about the weather thanks to the retractable roof. Coming to the ballpark knowing you'll have a game is always a good thing.

While the Marlins have been notorious for low attendance, I would assume this gem opening in downtown Miami would make this ballpark a place to be. (Especially if the team is good.)

The Marlins Are Experts at Rebuilding

While I'm running around blowing the trumpets and screaming World Series championship for the Marlins already, there's a little detail that might hold this thing up.

Jeffery Loria doesn't like to spend a lot of money. Right after the Marlins won their two World Series championships, Loria gutted the team and built from the ground up. The first two waves of rebuilding were successful as Loria gained a World Series ring each time. The third wave is happening now as the Marlins are beginning to stockpile talent.

Even if the Marlins decide to gut the team at some point after Pujols signs, their track record in doing so is fairly impressive. That would put Pujols at ease if the team decides to take that route one more time.

The NL East Is the Marlins for the Taking If Pujols Signs

As Ric Flair once said, "To be the man...WHOO!!! You gotta beat the man!" That "man" in the NL East is the Philadelphia Phillies, who have won five straight division championships. Their lineup is pretty loaded. Their pitching staff is even more loaded, but they can be beaten.

The Phillies are coming off a rough offseason where Ryan Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon on the last at-bat of the team's season. ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has also said that the Phillies are trying to trade Placido Polanco so they can make room for Aramis Ramierez at third base. There's also a chance that Jimmy Rollins won't return to Philly as well. Simply put, the Phillies could be vulnerable.

The addition of Pujols would jump start the Marlins. It wouldn't even be a downgrade from playing for the Cardinals as the Marlins have enough pieces to contend for a World Series once they get their pitching figured out.

Sure, there are some quality teams in the division as well with the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, but the Braves are trying to get rid of some quality pieces like Martin Prado, and the Nationals are still a very young team. Once again, the division could be Miami's for the taking.