MLB

If Albert Pujols Becomes A Free Agent, Here Are Some Possible Destinations

If the St. Louis Cardinals fail to offer Albert Pujols a contract he deems acceptable by noon on Wednesday, he will reportedly end negotiations until after the season is over, at which point he would become (gasp!) a free agent.

Due to most of the big market teams already having expensive first baseman on contract, Business Insider thinks the Chicago Cubs could be the team that has the best shot of landing Pujols if he indeed goes the free agency route. If Pujols, who has spent his entire career with the Cards, bolted for the team’s division rival (and what is probably the biggest rivalry in the National League), it would be the ultimate stab in the back for St. Louis fans.

The 31-year-old veteran is reportedly looking for a 10-year megadeal from St. Louis, the likes of which have not been seen since Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $275 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2007. Such a deal would likely guarantee Pujols remains in St. Louis for the rest of his career, as he’d be more than 40 by the time his contract is up, which in baseball years is…really old.

However, it’s unlikely the two sides will come to an agreement by Wednesday, considering the Cardinals claim they just don’t have enough cash to give the first baseman what he wants. As Steve Phillips points out, St. Louis better figure out a way to clear enough money to pay Pujols, or it could see a devaluation of the franchise, similar to what happened to the Cleveland Cavaliers‘ value when LeBron James left.

Unfortunately for the Cards, they only have one day to make that happen before they have to compete with the rest of the MLB to sign the player many consider to be the best in the game. Pujols’ reasoning for not continuing contract negotiations once he arrives at spring training Wednesday is that he doesn’t want any distractions during the season, a stance he has taken throughout his career.

If Pujols does stick to his hard deadline of Wedneday, we’re going to see a whole lot of speculation as to where the three-time National League MVP could end up.

If Pujols were to bolt for Chicago (and, again, he’s still a year away from becoming a free agent, and we might not even get to that point), the Bleacher Bums at Wrigley Field would immediately start cheering for the man they’ve spent the last decade hating. The question is, what they would do with all those “Cardinals take it up the Pujols” T-shirts once he’s trying to lead them out of century-long futility.

The Los Angeles Angels and New York Mets as have also been talked about as possible suitors if Pujols ever becomes a free agent.

But never rule out the Yankees. Whether they have gold-glove first baseman Mark Teixeira under contract for the next six years, a team that is always willing to throw millions at All-Star players surely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to snag Pujols, who could easily be the best in the game.