Official Albert Pujols Free Agency Discussion Thread

[CoreyR]

Well, since Albert Pujols will be a Free Agent after this season, why not have speculative ideas on where he could end up or any news/discussions regarding his free agency in this thread.

There is still a possibility that Pujols can end up re-signing with the Cardinals after the World Series is over. I believe it was moved to five-days this past off-season for teams to negotiate and sign their impending free agents.

As of today, we now know that the White Sox will not be pursuing Pujols. The Royals also mentioned it last week that they have no interest. Which was quite obvious.

[WichitaRoyal]

The Royals also mentioned it last week that they have no interest.

What!!!! I thought he was a lock! Man, we never get anybody......

I personally think Albert is going to have some problems finding a team next year. Don't get me wrong, someone will get him eventually, but every team who can afford that contract already has a $20 million power hitting first baseman.

For everone else, including the Cardinals, a contract like that is a team killer because you then can't pay anyone else. Ask Texas.

[RickD]

Well the Yankees would pursue him just because they can.

[WilsonC]

For everone else, including the Cardinals, a contract like that is a team killer because you then can't pay anyone else. Ask Texas.

The A-Rod contract wasn't anything close to a team killer. Here are the payrolls of the teams in the AL West during the years A-Rod played for Texas, as well as their payrolls after slashing the highest contract from the totals:
2001:
Texas - 88,633,500 ... A-Rod - 22,000,000 ... Difference - 66,633,500
Seattle - 74,720,834 ... Aaron Sele - 7,000,000 ... Difference - 67,720,834
Oakland - 33,810,750 ... Johnny Damon - 7,100,000 ... Difference - 26,710,750
Anaheim - 47,735,167 ... Tim Salmon - 6,500,000 ... Difference - 41,235,167

2002:
Texas - 105,726,122 ... A-Rod - 22,000,000 ... Difference - 83,726,122
Seattle - 80,282,668 ... Bret Boone - 8,000,000 ... Difference - 72,282,668
Oakland - 40,004,167 ... Jermaine Dye - 7,166,667 ... Difference - 32,837,500
Anaheim - 61,721,667 ... Tim Salmon - 9,650,000 ... Difference 52,071,667

2003:
Texas - 103,491,667 ... A-Rod - 22,000,000 ... Difference - 81,491,667
Seattle - 86,959,167 ... Bret Boone - 8,000,000 ... Difference - 78,959,167
Oakland - 50,260,834 ... Jermaine Dye - 11,666,667 ... Difference - 38,594,167
Anaheim - 79,031,667 ... Kevin Appier - 11,500,000 ... Difference - 67,531,667

During that stretch, Texas consistently outspent the other teams in the division even after subtracting the A-Rod contract. There was only one year where another team's "supporting 24" were paid more than Texas', and only marginally. Other that Seattle, no other team matched Texas' supporting 24 even with their highest paid player included. While the wisdom of A-Rod's first contract can be debated, it did not handcuff the team's ability to spend.

What it shows isn't that one big contract is detrimental to a team; it shows that even if you have a Hall of Fame caliber player putting up historic performances PLUS the budget to outspend your competition on the rest of the roster, you still need to make good decisions on how to spend that money.

I think a lot of teams will shy away from offering him a big contract because of the risk involved. A lot of teams could compete with Pujols at $30-M - for as long as he remains a superstar. If he gets injured, or declines rapidly, then the commitment would become a burden, and that's a risk many teams would be unwilling to take.

I suspect he'll end up back with the Cardinals, for fewer years than he's looking for. He'll still get top dollar, but the teams most willing to take on massive investments have star first basemen - and good defensive ones - already in place. When he sees his desired offer isn't out there, I suspect he'll sign with the Cardinals for something closer to what the market dictates.

[LetsPlay2]

Well the Yankees would pursue him just because they can.

I would consider Pujols' agent a failure if he didn't get the Yanks and Sox involved. That's objective #1 on the Free Agent to do list.

[WichitaRoyal]

The A-Rod contract wasn't anything close to a team killer

So the Royals may still be in the running despite Mr. Glass!!!!

Just kidding. I stand corrected

[WilsonC]

I actually think the Royals would be an intriguing destination for Pujols! When you consider that they've been paying Meche and Guillen a combined 24-M a year, and they they have a ridiculously well stocked farm system with minimal long-term commitments, with a lot of money coming off the books. I don't see them giving him A-Rod money, but if there's no offer of that level out there, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Royals dip into the elite free agent market over the next few years, as their young core starts to develop.

That said, I doubt they'll match what Pujols is looking for, and I suspect they'll base their free agent acquisitions around which of their prospects start showing MLB-level skills. With Butler already in place, Hosmer in the wings, mixed reports on whether Myers will stick at Catcher, etc. they may not want to invest in a corner bat until they see which positions are filled

[JoshRedcay]

I give about a 1% chance of him leaving St Louis, I really can't see him with another team and they WILL get a deal done. He's the face of that franchise, they won't let him leave.

[TheKid19]

I only see him in a Cardinals jersey for the remainder of his career. I mean look at the teams that could actually get him: The Yankees, they have Mark Teixeira. The Red Sox have Adrian Gonzalez. The Cubs, I really cannot see him in a Cubs jersey. The Angels have Kendry Morales, who when healthy can be great. The Nationals have been said as a possible contender for him, and I see them as the best possible fit for him, which will make the Nationals a very scary team in the future.

[EazyMack]

Well the Yankees would pursue him just because they can.

The DH to replace Posada next year?