Albert Pujols: Prized MLB Free Agent Would Make Right Move Returning Home

The Albert Pujols sweepstakes keeps on taking multiple twists and turns. However, it seems to be getting closer to an end, with the hometown St. Louis Cardinals likely re-signing the first baseman. 

Sources have told NY Daily News Mets beat writer Andy Martino that it’s likely that Pujols is heading back to St. Louis. The Miami Marlins are now shifting away from Pujols and towards Milwaukee Brewers free agent Prince Fielder. 

According to Joe Strauss from the St. Louis Today:  

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The Cardinals rejoined the fray for free agent first baseman Albert Pujols on Tuesday by offering the three-time National League MVP a deal believed to potentially approach $220 million for up to 10 years.

Now they wait to see if it's enough. 

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This offer of $220 million is $20 million more than the reported offer from the Marlins of $200 million for the same amount of years.   

Staying with the Cardinals makes the most sense for Albert. The money is better, and the team in St. Louis is better around Pujols.  He has won two World Series championships with the club, and he already is one of the most beloved players in their long history.  

With St. Louis, Pujols will get his way with having a no-trade clause in his contract. This is something the Marlins’ are not willing to offer Pujols in that 10-year contract.  

With the Cardinals, Pujols can cement his legacy as the greatest Cardinal to play for the franchise. He has already built a Hall of Fame career in his first 11 seasons. If he would sign for 10 years and play for the duration of that contract, it would see him break the all time home run record.  

If he is going to reach those milestones of 500, 600, 700 and maybe 800 home runs, it makes sense for Pujols to do it in a Cardinals uniform. 

Pujols has a big decision to make. He can play the final years of his baseball career somewhere else, like Miami, Chicago or Los Angeles. The right move and the smart move is to stay where the fanbase already loves and adores him.  

He should, and probably will, stay at home in St. Louis. 

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