Albert Pujols to Angels: Complete Breakdown and Analysis of the Move

Just one day after the Miami Marlins pulled a 10-year offer off the table for former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, the Los Angeles Angels made a power move by signing Pujols to a 10-year, $250 million contract, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

It was thought that the Cardinals may have reemerged as the leading candidate to sign Pujols after the Marlins exhausted their assets on pitcher Mark Buehrle, but the Angels made a late push and either offered Pujols more money or a more attractive situation.

Pujols, who was a three-time National League MVP and two-time World Series Champion, seems to have shifted the league's balance of power a bit with his decision. His choice will have major implications across Major League Baseball, but particularly within the Cardinals and Angels organizations.

How Move Affects Cardinals

There is no question that it will be tough for the Cardinals to bounce back from losing Pujols, although the organization certainly had to be ready for such a turn of events. After all, St. Louis couldn't work out a deal with Pujols during the season and the overwhelming sentiment seemed to be that he was playing his last season with the Cardinals.

While the Cardinals have invested plenty in Pujols' career, it's tough to blame the future Hall of Famer for doing what he did. While signing with Los Angeles could be considered a money grab, Pujols is entitled to such a thing as he already did everything he could possibly do in St. Louis.

That is why Pujols going to the Angels isn't equivalent to LeBron James spurning the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat. James left the Cavs without winning a title and with a very weak group of supporting players. Pujols, on the other hand, gave Cardinal fans two World Series Championships, and is leaving behind the skeleton of a World Series-caliber team.

The retirement of manager Tony LaRussa also figures to have played a major role in Pujols' decision as he and LaRussa clearly had great mutual respect for each other. All of those factors truly pointed to Pujols starting a new chapter in his career.

As for the Cardinals' likely contingency plan, it certainly isn't a bad one. Lance Berkman was a huge signing for St. Louis last season and held up well in the outfield, but he figures to shift over to first base. This will open up a full-time job in the outfield for Allen Craig, who was a revelation in the playoffs.

I don't see the Cards making a splashy move to replace Pujols, but there really isn't much need to. The loss of Pujols will certainly make the Cardinals a worse team, but they have a good enough supporting cast to remain competitive and perhaps make the playoffs, especially with ace pitcher Adam Wainwright set to return. 

How Move Affects Angels

Clearly the Angels were none too happy about back-to-back seasons without a playoff berth, so they decided to go for the gusto in signing Pujols, and then pairing him with Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson. When you couple the Pujols move with the Wilson signing, it seems as though the Angels may have once again passed the Rangers as the class of the AL West.

Prior to signing Pujols, the Angels were a solid team with a solid lineup, but they were fairly unspectacular. The Angels have a lot of good players in terms of hitting for a high average and getting on base, but that doesn't do much good without a legitimate middle-of-the-lineup threat, though.

Pujols gives the Angels just that as he will smoothly slide into the No. 3 spot in the order, giving the likes of Torii Hunter, Howie Kendrick and Mark Trumbo protection they likely have never received before.

In all likelihood, Pujols will receive the bulk of his playing time at first base since he is still a plus fielder at the position. This means that incumbent first baseman Mark Trumbo can become the full-time designated hitter. Trumbo hit 29 home runs as a rookie last season and added a much-needed dimension to Los Angeles' lineup, but his fielding left something to be desired.

Moving to an American League team does give Pujols options, though, as he can take a breather every once in a while by DHing. Perhaps the biggest question mark is where this leaves first baseman Kendrys Morales. The power-hitting Morales hasn't played since breaking his ankle during a celebration fairly early in the 2010 season.

It isn't known if Morales will ever fully recover, but with Pujols and Trumbo occupying spots in the lineup, it is quite likely the Angels will look to deal him. Los Angeles made the right decision in acquiring Pujols, though, as it makes its lineup significantly better and puts the Angels very much in World Series contention.