Albert Pujols: Marlins Will Flounder After Losing out on Free Agency's Big Fish

Well, it was fun while it lasted Miami Marlins.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the Marlins are officially out of the Albert Pujols sweepstakes:

In one of the most bizarre few days in recent baseball history, the Marlins were spending like the New York Yankees while the pinstripes were absolutely silent.

In the past week the Marlins have signed closer Heath Bell to a three-year deal worth $27 million, shortstop (or third baseman?) Jose Reyes to a six-year, $108 million contract and starting pitcher Mark Buehrle to a four-year $58 million deal.

Are the Marlins operating under the belief they are using Monopoly money? The spending spree is outrageous and as CBS Sports Danny Knobler reports, pretty much everyone is in awe of what the Marlins are doing:

With the Buehrle signing on Wednesday, it was pretty much impossible for Miami to add a $200 million contract for King Albert.

The problem is, Pujols was the one player the Marlins needed most. Reyes plays the same position as Hanley Ramirez, closers only can impact a game so much and Buehrle is 32.

Pujols would bring his thee MVPs, two World Series championships and nine All-Star appearances to a team that is very young and impressionable. Pujols leads by example and there is no question that his hard work and dedication to the game would rub off on his young and receptive teammates.

He would have provided protection for Reyes and Ramirez at the top of the lineup, now that will be the job of Mike Stanton, a 22-year-old with a grand total of 875 ABs. While he has a bright future, he’s no Pujols.

The Fish have about a two- to three-year window with their new players and I’m not so sure Stanton will reach his full potential by then.

Who knows how serious the Marlins really were about Pujols, but there are two things that can be taken away from this bizarre week:

1. Pujols will remain with the Cardinals.

2. A Pujols-less Marlins team is going to be the most expensive .500 team of all time.