Where Will Pujols End Up After 2011?

Earlier this week Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and the Cardinals organization could not agree to a long-term deal.  As a consequence, Pujols will not negotiate with the club during the season and will effectively test the free agent waters next offseason.  There have not been any specifics announced in terms of contract discussions but there is speculation that Pujols is looking for a 10-year deal worth around 30 million a year.  There is no doubt that Pujols deserves to get paid but the issue here is the length of the desired contract.  The three-time MVP just turned 31 in January, so if the Cardinals were to sign him to 10-year deal, he will be under contract at the age of 41.  The big question here is how productive can Pujols be at 41?  Chances are that his numbers will not decline that much.  He has yet to hit under .300, in fact his lowest batting average recorded in a season was last season when he hit .312.  Despite the drop in batting average, the first baseman continues to produce at the plate.  Pujols drove in over 100 runs for his tenth consecutive season.  The Cardinals cannot afford to let him walk after 2011.

The Cardinals payroll will probably not change a lot from this year’s payroll of just over 100 million.  Having said that, it will definitely be a challenge for the Cardinals to re-sign Pujols.  On the bright side for the Cardinals, the contracts of Kyle Lohse (four-year, $41 million) and Chris Carpenter (five-year, $63.5 million) will come off the payroll after the 2011 season.  If the Cardinals are still interested in retaining their franchise player, which they are, then there might not be a lot of room to build around Pujols.  As far as the lineup in concerned, there is not much to add with Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Colby Rasmus, and younger players like Jon Jay and David Freese in the fold.  On the mound however, the organization might be in a predicament.  It’s pretty safe to say that Wainwright will be in a Cardinal uniform for a while but with the potential departures of Carpenter and Lohse, the front office may have to piece the rotation together for 2012.

Once the 2011 season comes to an end, there will be multiple teams making a run at Albert Pujols.  Other first baseman that will be available come next offseason are Carlos Pena, Prince Fielder, Derrek Lee, and perhaps Adrian Gonzalez who yet to sign an extension with the Red Sox.  If for some reason the Cardinals cannot resign Pujols, there will be cheaper alternatives available that can come close to Pujols’ production.  The team that has been speculated to land Pujols is the Cardinals division rival, the Cubs.  The Cubs will have multiple contracts come off the payroll after the 2011 season.  So, the available salary room will give the Cubs a legitimate shot at “King Albert.”  Aside from the Cubs, teams like Texas, Baltimore, and even Boston and the Yankees will definitely look into signing Pujols.  Certain teams that might make a run at Pujols are San Francisco, Florida, Washington, and the Angels.  At the end of the day, Pujols has catapulted himself as the number player in Major League baseball and arguably of all-time.  As a result, he should be paid accordingly.