The Looming Albert Pujols Problem

   Anyone who has been following the MLB offseason knows, this could be Albert Pujols last season with the Cardinals. One must ask, how in the world can the Cards let this guy slip away from them. This guy could very possibly go down as the best player ever. I was hearing the guys on ESPN say he has a chance to be better than Lou Gehrig was. He produces monster numbers year in and year out. He hasn't had any major injuries than have hampered him or are going to shorten his career. He's the perfect ball player.

   As far as the contract goes, Albert is looking for a 10 year, 300 million dollar deal. That would trump A-Rod's last deal by 25 million total. For right now, paying 30 million to the top player in the game I don't see as a problem. The Cards got the money, but 10 years from now? Albert would be 41 years old, making 30 million dollars. Just doesn't seem logical to me.

   I'm going to agree with the guys from ESPN here, five years at that 30 million a year seems like a great deal. Throw in a couple options to make the deal longer if desired. You have to expect Pujols numbers to be consistant for atleast another four or five years. He's going to be an MVP candidate for years to come. This seems to be the safest option for St. Louis, but I'm not sure Albert is going to settle for 5 years.

   So is there really a chance this guy is going to be wearing a new uniform in 2012? What would it be like seeing him in a Cubs jersey? I don't see many clubs besides Chicago Cubs having the money to land him. Or how about the Nationals following up their shocking signing of Jayson Werth with a Pujols landing? It seems they might be willing to open their pockets for superstars. They have been in the running for them the last few years but nobody wants to play for that losing team. You know teams with first basemen locked up aren't going to persue him (Yankee's and Red Sox if they can lock Gonzalez up, are my two examples).

   Pujols has set March 16th as the deadline to get a deal done, after than he will not negotiate with the team about a contract. Then you have to know he is going to rake this year proving he's worth 30 million to any club who wants him. Does a deal get done in the next week? Reports are they aren't close to a deal. What do you guys think?