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Albert Pujols is set to become a free agent after the 2011 season, as the St. Louis Cardinals’ sweet-swinging first baseman’s self-imposed contract deadline came and went. No new contract was signed. 

Without a new deal, our focus shifts to Pujol’s production in the coming season. 

Given the unprecedented contract situation, and a dip in Pujols’ batting average, there are those who wonder if the megastar can put together another spectacular season in 2011. 

However, those arguments don’t really hold much water. For instance, why would Pujols stop performing just because of his contract? 

Need proof? Here are 10 reasons why you can bet that Albert Pujols about to deliver another season for the ages. 

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If Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals stay true to their word of holding off any negotiating until after the season, then MLB could have its own episode of “The Decision.”

Pujols, 30, is a three time MVP winner and said to be seeking a contract that will make him the highest paid player in baseball history. If there is anyone who can make such a bold claim, it is “The Machine.”

However, as right now, the Cardinals are not prepared to offer Pujols the years of money that he is looking for in his next deal.

If he were to hit the market, then Pujols could be considered the greatest free agent in the history of baseball. After all, he has had the fastest start to any career in the history of baseball and shows no signs of slowing down.

Any team with the necessary funds would line up for a shot to sign the future Hall of Famer.

However, part of the problem is that many teams with big payrolls already have long term commitments at first base: The Yankees have just recently signed Mark Teixeira to a long term contract; meanwhile, the Red Sox are on the verge of signing new addition Adrian Gonzalez to a massive deal.

This is a significant reason why Pujols, if he becomes a free agent, could find himself playing in Chicago.

The Cubs are in dire need of creating a buzz after several disappointing season. Few things would create a bigger buzz then signing their rival’s all-time greatest player.

Landing Pujols would also send the Cubs versus Cardinals rivalry to new heights.

Pujols has terrorized the Cubs in his career, hitting more home runs against them then any other team in baseball. His 47 HR and 123 RBI in 574 at bats against the Cubs show his dominance when facing the division rival. Pujols has also finished in the top five of MVP voting in nine of his ten big league seasons.

This type of production could be the leading force behind the Cubs breaking their World Series curse.

On top of all of his offensive prowess, Pujols has also worked hard to become an excellent fielder. This past season, he was awarded with his second career Gold Glove award.

The ownership group has also shown in recent years that they are willing to spend money for a winning product on the field. In 2007, they signed Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year, $136 million contract.

The Cubs also have been shedding some money from their payroll in recent years. Last year, they decided to part ways with free agent in waiting Derek Lee. They signed Carlos Pena to replace Lee, but only to a one year contract. This upcoming season will be the end of a five year, $73 million contract for Aramis Ramirez.

Clearly, they seem capable at acquiring Pujols from a financial perspective.

More importantly, Pujols makes since if Chicago wants to build a World Series contender. He would immediately help progress some of the younger players in the organization. He also would make Chicago more attractive to other free agents.

If the Cardinals front office inexplicably lets Pujols hit free agency, then they may have to accept the fact that he could call Wrigley home in 2012.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Here we are, twelve hours after the comet named Albertageddon crashed down. The shock waves from the impact wasn’t nearly as large as was expected, but still, it registered at least a three on the Richter scale.

Now, we move forward. What will happen in the next eight months before Pujols officially hits free agency and the three months following that (you honestly think agent Dan Lozano will jump at the first offer?)

There is a lot of speculation. And by a lot, I’m talking about enough speculation to fill the Grand Canyon and have enough to spillover to cause a rock slide. Yeah, it really is that much.

There’s so much that goes into this whole ordeal. Ask anyone, they’ll tell you. People that don’t like baseball have made it a crusade to offer their insight.

There’s the money aspect. People think $300 million is too much for one player, especially when commoners are out of work. Even President Barack Obama took a small shot at that fact when he told the crowd at the White House that Stan Musial was the first player in baseball to make a $100 thousand salary, then laughed.

There’s the years aspect. Pujols will be 32 when the 2012 season starts. A ten year contract would end when Pujols is about to turn 43. He might not be Julio Franco. Pujols might not be able to play that long.

So who’s side do we take? Who do we believe?

That’s what we decide here. All of this is my insight. I’ve listened to those with real knowledge of the situation (Joe Strauss) and those who think they have real insight (Ken Rosenthal).

Pujols wants a ten year contract and $300 million. Is that a reasonable number?

The answer, like most, is not clear-cut black and white. Yes, it is reasonable. No, it is not reasonable.

Pujols is coming off a now eight year contract worth $111 million, with deferred payments coming soon. That contract was a steal then and its a bigger steal now. Pujols took a discount, despite that many will say it was “market value” then, when he signed that contract.

Sure, the market has erupted in recent years, but it was big then. Think of the major signings from when Pujols was arbitration eligible the first time.

Miguel Tejada signed with the Orioles. Vladimir Guerrero signed a deal with the then Anaheim Angels. Bartolo Colon signed his big deal with the Angels too. Ivan Rodriguez went to the Detroit Tigers. Kevin Millwood re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $11 million.

It wasn’t like the market was weak. Then, of course, it exploded the next off-season with the Carlos Beltran signing, then that was followed by the Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee signings before 2007.

Pujols and the Cardinals came close to having their arbitration hearing before Pujols signed his new deal. Pujols wanted $10.5 million and the Cardinals countered with $7 million. You read that right, even then Pujols wanted 50 percent more than what the Cardinals were offering.

Instead of the hearing, the two sides settled on a deal that paid Pujols $32 million over his three arbitration years and $79 million over his first five years of free agency (minus deferred payments).

If that deal hadn’t been signed, you can guess that Pujols would have won his hearing hands down. Coming off of a batting title, a 37 game hit streak, leading the league in hits, runs, doubles, his first 40 home run season, and 114 career home runs you don’t lose with that resume.

Take that $10.5 million and add on $4.5 million for the raise he would have gotten the next year, and that’s $25.5 million. Another 50 percent increase, and that’s $48 million over his three arbitration years. That’s more than he made in his first three arbitration years PLUS the salary he earned in what would have been his first free agency year.

Discount.

Now Pujols wants what he’s worth. You can’t really blame him.

But, then again, you can. 

Yes, Pujols signed a MAJOR club-friendly contract, but that was for his prime. On this side of thirty, you don’t make $30 million a year unless you’re on the juice (oh, hi A-Rod). It just doesn’t happen. Sabermetrics run rampant now in baseball. Older players just don’t produce as much as younger players. Its a fact now, not a theory.

Even Pujols’ production will fall off sometime. It might be seven years from now, but even then, you’re on the hook for $120 million to a player that can’t produce. That’s how you get in trouble as a franchise.

Pujols wants his money and the Cardinals want to give it to him, just on their terms. They want to pay for the production that Pujols will put up during the contract, not the numbers he has put up.

Its understandable. I don’t think anyone really blame the Cardinals for sticking to their guns.

The next big issue here was the amount of salary tied up. At $30 million a season, the Cardinals won’t have a lot of wiggle room with Holliday’s $17 million salary tacked on and Wainwright’s big options coming up.

The finances have to be right.

You can’t just give out a huge contract in hopes it will be right then and stay right the whole way. Look at how other teams have done.

Ask any Chicago Cubs fan who they want to get rid. Besides Kosuke Fukudome, Soriano pops up a lot. His contract is a huge albatross to the Cubs. Soriano’s production was good for a couple of seasons, but has fallen off greatly. Same with Lee in Houston.

Beltran with the Mets is a contract they aren’t too wild about anymore and haven’t been for a couple of seasons. Vernon Wells was a big weight on the Toronto Blue Jays payroll before he was move to the Angels.

Jayson Werth will be a burden in just a couple of seasons in Washington. Add to that the Michael Young fiasco in Texas and Gil Meche had to retire to get the Kansas City Royals out from underneath that burden.

Werth is a quality player, but he wasn’t worth what he received. I haven’t driven in 100 runs in a season either. Maybe Washington will give me $100 million?

In all seriousness, Werth is a quality player and person. He was my cousin’s personal catcher in high school. Coincidentally, you can make the argument that if my cousin wasn’t such a good pitcher and scouted so heavily, Werth may never have been scouted either. That’s an argument for another day though.

What I’m saying is that long-term contracts rarely turn out well for players that are in their 30s. General managers are enamored with past production and believe that a player can keep it up, even when they’re bodies are slowing down. They let sexy numbers overrule their logic and make mistakes.

Athletes might be finally tuned machines, but you can’t fight Father Time. The more games/at-bats/pitches you play/take/throw, the more wear and tear you add to your body. Add that with the natural progression your body goes through as you get older, and you’re never the same.

Its fact, not theory.

That’s what this contract deadline was about. Pujols wanted to be paid for what he has done and what he will continue to do. The Cardinals wanted to pay Pujols for what he will do, and that won’t be what he has done.

Lets also remember that Pujols’ right elbow is a linguine noodle. It could pop at any time, despite optimism on Pujols’ and the Cardinals part.

Besides all of this opinion, and yes it is all opinion. Everything I said is my opinion on the matter. Your opinion may differ from mine on long-term contracts. Your opinion about whether Pujols’ current contract was market value or a discount could be different than mine. You might think his elbow is 100 percent. Its all out opinion.

The teams that could make a run at Pujols is not opinion. Its fact, something that is a recurring theme if you couldn’t tell.

There are 29 other teams in this league, despite what ESPN says.

Here is a comprehensive list of every team. How this list breaks down is this: the American League teams are first, then National. It is grouped by division. In parenthesis is the team’s chance. Everything after the colon is why they’re chance is what it is. Fair is 50-65 percent chance; Good is 66-85, Great is 86+; No chance is 0; Doubt is anything between 0 and 50.

As Super Mario says, “letsa go!”

AL East

Texas Rangers (Fair): New ownership is finally in place and the need for a first baseman is pressing. Chris Davis is a left-handed Mark Reynolds without the ability to hit home runs every time he does make contact. Mitch Moreland is a role player. The only problem is money. Adrian Beltre just signed, Josh Hamilton will need a long-term deal soon, and Elvis Andrus is a stud who needs a long-term deal. The money won’t be there unless the new owners are ready to take the payroll to new heights.

Oakland Athletics (Doubt): Billy Beane isn’t afraid to make surprise moves, but the A’s just don’t have the salary available. All of their young pitchers will be making a lot of money soon, not to mention that the A’s could be division favorites with Pujols, but lack any real depth at other positions. A new stadium is needed for any kind of income to come, even with Pujols in town. And California? A Dominican native raised in Kansas City won’t go that far west.

Seattle Mariners (No Chance): The Mariners have the money, but have a hard time getting players to come that far north. Like the A’s, Pujols won’t go that far from home.

Los Angeles Angels (Fair): There’s a chance the Angels could make a play. I’ve downplayed their chances, but it could happen. Arte Moreno likes to spend money recklessly, but the fact of the matter is that the Angels have a lot of salary to pay and star pitchers who need long-term deals. Sure, those massive contracts are gone in four years, so it could happen, but doubt exists.

AL Central

Minnesota Twins (Doubt): Justin Morneau could be moved to DH, but with Mauer already locked up on a big deal and a payroll that has already reached critical heights up north, there’s not a good chance it happens.

Chicago White Sox (No Chance): Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko are under contract and can only play two positions: 1B and DH. Funny, Pujols plays those positions. Pujols has played 3B and LF in the past, but that elbow won’t allow it.

Detroit Tigers (Doubt): Miguel Cabrera is better suited as a full-time DH, but with newly signed Victor Martinez on-board, it makes it much more difficult. Martinez is not a full-time catcher, and a Pujols signing would make him just that. Could it happen? Oh yeah. The Tigers like to spend, but I doubt it.

Cleveland Indians (No Chance): The Indians are rebuilding. They’re farther from contending than any team with Jimmy Claussen as their starting quarterback. Not even in MLB 2011 The Show could this happen.

Kansas City Royals (Doubt): Believe it or not, it could happen. The Royals have a stacked system and could compete in 2012 or 2013. Add Pujols to the mix, and a 2012 contention is a real possibility. Pujols grew up in Kansas City, but the money might not be there. Could happen, but doubt exists.

AL East

New York Yankees (No Chance): Not even doubt exists. Despite people believing the Yankees will be there, not even the Yankees can make it work. Look, Mark Teixeria and Pujols are gold glove first baseman. Neither will DH. Teixeria will “say” he’d take some DH at-bats if it meant signing Pujols, but Pujols won’t. He wants to play first base. And with Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter’s twilight years right around the corner, DH needs to be open. Let’s not forget that the Yankees already have a $180+ million payroll and CC Sabathia will likely opt-out and get a new, higher contract with the Yankees. The money, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, won’t be there.

Boston Red Sox (No Chance): That’s right. Neither big behemoth will be in on Pujols. They might kick the tires, to which Lozano will use as interest to drive up the price, but the Red Sox won’t be in either. Adrian Gonzalez is in the same boat as Teixeria. He’s a gold glove first baseman and won’t DH. Pujols won’t DH for a better chance to win in Boston.

Tampa Bay Rays (No Chance): They just let Carl Crawford walk. No way they have the cash available to sign Pujols.

Baltimore Orioles (No Chance): The Orioles were in it to win it with Teixeria a couple winters ago, but that was a special circumstance (he was from Baltimore). No special circumstance exists with Pujols, and if the Orioles had $30 million to spend, they would have offered Guerrero $8 million right away.

Toronto Blue Jays (Doubt): The Blue Jays obviously have money to spend, but Pujols isn’t in their plans. It would push Adam Lind to DH, a role he’s best suited for, and give the Jays the offense they need to win. But, the Blue Jays don’t want to get involved in free agency for big years. They want to develop their own stars and give them big deals. So there’s a chance, but not a big one.

NL West

Arizona Diamondbacks (No Chance): The Diamondbacks have no money. Their budget will never fit Pujols.

San Diego Padres (No Chance): They do need a first baseman after dealing Gonzalez to the Red Sox, but they had to deal Gonzalez because they weren’t going to be able to afford him after he hit free agency. Will that have changed in a year? No.

San Francisco Giants (Doubt): Despite popular opinion, the Giants are not big players. First and foremost, Brandon Belt could be a star in the making. Aubrey Huff is signed for two season. Sure, both could move to a corner outfield spot to make room, but in that big park, it probably isn’t the best idea. More importantly, though, is that Jonathon Sanchez, Matt Cain, and Tim Lincecum need long-term deals. Not even Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand’s expiring contracts can pay those big salaries. Oh, Pablo Sandoval will need one too. Buster Posey. Yeah, he could use one. No money, but who knows. Brian Sabean did sign Zito to that laughter of a deal.

Colorado Rockies (No Chance): Pujols would go nicely with Troy Tulowitski and Carlos Gonzalez, but with Todd Helton and his salary entrenched at first base, there’s no room.

Los Angeles Dodgers (No Chance): Frank McCourt’s money problems won’t be magically solved by next winter. The Dodgers have a better chance of seeing Bigfoot than signing Pujols.

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals (Great): Pujols already has a legacy here. A foundation for a contract offer has already been set. That’s work that they don’t have to make up, just improve upon. The chances of a reunion is strong.

Chicago Cubs (Good): Would Pujols leave for the Cubs? Possibly. Its still close to home and the Cubs will have the money and the roster space to accommodate Pujols. The only thing that could prevent a signing is that Pujols will leave St. Louis in a good light, unless something comes out that Pujols had no intention of re-signing with the Cardinals. When you leave in a good light, you don’t sign with the enemy. That’s how you get booed and ruin your goodwill. Pujols isn’t stupid, but if the money’s there, he could be paid to be stupid.

Milwaukee Brewers (No Chance): If they can’t sign their own first baseman for $180 million over eight years, no way they’ll sign Pujols for $300 million over ten.

Cincinnati Reds (No Chance): You might have heard of their first baseman. His name is Joey Votto and he’s officially the second best first baseman in the National League. No room here, even if it is Walt Jocketty running the show.

Houston Astros (No Chance): The team is for sale, but Ed Wade and Drayton McLane, especially McLane, like to make stupid, incoherent moves. Don’t count them out, but there really is no chance.

Pittsburgh Pirates (No Chance): lolz.

NL East

New York Mets (No Chance): When you’re being sued for $1 billion dollars and you’re hoping your All-Star closer doesn’t finish 55 games so you can get out from under his contract, you don’t sign players to ten year deals or for $300 million.

Atlanta Braves (No Chance): Freddie Freeman is a stud. Sure, they can move him to RF, but Tommy Hanson needs a contract and the Braves never seem to have the money to make big moves.

Washington Nationals (No Chance): Two big-time prospects and an improving farm system, not to mention the best (and most underrated) third baseman around in Ryan Zimmerman, but Adam LaRoche is under contract. Even if they could trade him, Pujols wants to win. He won’t win in our nation’s capital any time soon.

Florida Marlins (No Chance): They’re moving into a new stadium and could use the fan-fare, but the Marlins won’t spend more money on a Pujols contract then they’ve spent on payroll combined in the last six years.

Philadelphia Philles (No Chance): They’re trying to shed money as it is and Ryan Howard locked in. 

So lets add all of this up. There are 20 “No Chance,” six “Doubt,” two “Fair,” one “Good,” and one “Great.”

None of the fair, good, or great chances were the “big market” teams of the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Mets, or Dodgers. Those teams usually drive the prices for free agents, and when they aren’t involved, prices drop.

The two fair teams are on the low end.

That means that only the Cubs and Cardinals truly have any shot at signing Pujols.

Why is there any worry again?

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

There was once a time when baseball players were heroes.

Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Hank Greenberg, Warren Spahn, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra and Bob Feller (just to name a few) all missed time in the prime of their careers because they were out fighting wars. These Hall of Famers put their lives on the line to defend our great country.  

It doesn’t get any more heroic than that.    

Those days look to be long gone. In today’s game it appears that everyone is just looking for the next big pay day.  

I grew up in the great northwest and loved the Mariners growing up. I remember when Alex Rodriguez left for Texas to take the biggest contract in sports history. People hated him after that (still do), at least they did in Seattle. The fans threw monopoly money at him when he returned to Seattle. 

Why do people root against A-Rod? It’s simple: he’s a money grabber (among other things, but the money is where it started). At least that’s the perception that a lot people have about him.

This brings us to Albert Pujols. He’s the best player in the game today. Hands down. 

Pujols had been in talks with the Cardinals about signing an extension before the season began. Those talks now appear to be dead. The Cards deadline to have a deal done was today, and it didn’t happen. Pujols, 31, was reportedly looking for a 10-year deal in the $300 million range.

Pujols will now be a free agent at the end of the 2011 season.

So what’s going to happen with the slugger? He’s going to be able to name his price when he hits the market next offseason. If he wants to be the richest man to ever step on the diamond, then he probably will be.

But is it really all about the money?

Pujols was baseball’s last hope. He’s the golden boy, the poster child, the savior or whatever you want to call him. He’s the one guy who is threatening the record books that hasn’t been linked to steroids. He’s done everything right. Everyone has nothing but good things to say about him, he really can do no wrong.

Now he’s faced with a decision: Get the money, or stay in St. Louis.

In this day and age we rarely see great players stay with one team throughout their entire careers. Ripken and Gwynn were the last guys that come to memory, and we have Jeter and Pujols today. It’s a truly special accomplishment.

For the sake of baseball let’s hope Pujols stays in St. Louis. How great would it be if for once, just once, a superstar turned down the money and stayed home (it’s not like he’ll be a poor man if he stays). It would unprecedented in today’s sports world.

Baseball fans have put up with a lot over the past 10 or 15 years. Every guy they’ve tried to get behind has let them down in one way or another.

Take a stand Albert. Show us that it isn’t always about how fat your wallet is.

Don’t let us down. Baseball needs a hero.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman Albert Pujols will let today’s noon deadline pass, ending contract negotiations between the two sides and sending Pujols into free agency.

Pujols is entering the final season of the seven-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Cardinals in 2004. The greatest player in the game gave his team a discount then; he’s not going to be so generous this time.

And so it seems Pujols is about the become the most sought after free agent of 2012, maybe even in baseball history.

And despite what will happen during the regular season, how many games the Philadelphia Phillies “Phab Four” win, how many home runs Adrian Gonzalez hits, or even who wins the World Series, all anyone will be talking about is where Prince Albert will sign when it’s all over.

Last season, Pujols hit .312 with 42 home runs and 118 RBIs. He’s been the face of the Cardinals franchise for the last 10 seasons—the whole of his career.

Albert Pujols is to the Cardinals what Derek Jeter is to the New York Yankees.

But that was until noon today. Now he’s set to become the face of another team; wear  another team’s colors; carry another team into the postseason.

If you’re a Cardinals fan, this could be the worst day of your life. Well, maybe it’s not that dramatic, but it certainly feels that way for the first day at least. However, if you’re looking for someone to blame for the collapse of the contract negotiations, there really isn’t any one or any thing.

Pujols gave the Cardinals the hometown discount six years ago, he doesn’t have to do it again. Any list of the “most underpaid players in baseball” should have Pujols listed as No. 1.

Pujols is reportedly seeking a 10-year, $300 million contract. It’s no secret that he’s using Alex Rodriguez’s record-setting 10-year, $275 million contract he signed with the Yankees in 2007 as a benchmark for his new deal.

If you’re a Yankee-hater and a Pujols fan, you’re probably blaming the Yankees for the Cardinals’ current situation. Don’t do that. In the end, you’re worth what someone is willing to pay for you.

Is Jayson Werth worth $125 million? Probably not, but his paychecks say otherwise. Pujols has been the most dominant and impressive player in baseball for the past decade, and he deserves to be paid accordingly.

Since 2001, Pujols has hit just 16 fewer home runs and driven in just six less runs than Rodriguez, yet he’s made $155.3 million LESS. The man needs to get paid.

He’s not LeBron James, bolting from his long-time team to form a super-team somewhere else. Well, until we know where Pujols will sign, I suppose that could happen. But unless he signs with the Boston Red Sox or the Yankees, you really can’t make the comparison.

The Cardinals have known this day was coming. They knew having the best player in the game would mean you’d have to pay him eventually. Reportedly, the rift between the two sides isn’t number of years, it’s annual salary. The contract offered by the Cardinals would have put Pujols in the top 10 in annual salary, but not the top 5.

The Cardinals expect Pujols to be outside the top 5 in terms of salary? That’s not going to happen and it’s not because Pujols is greedy.

If you ask Cardinals manager Tony La Russa why they weren’t able to re-sign Pujols, he’ll tell you it’s because the MLB Player’s Union was pressuring Pujols to take the most money, which isn’t coming from St. Louis. La Russa called the pressure “an anvil thrown on Pujols’ back.” That’s ridiculous.

First of all, yes, Pujols should try to get as much as he can while he still can—any one of us would in his position—but no one tells Albert Pujols what to do. To think Pujols got a phone call from the Players Union, telling him to leave St. Louis for greener pastures is crazy.

Pujols is going to be a free agent, that much we know. Where he’ll sign, we can only speculate for now. Pujols has said he will not negotiate again during the season because he doesn’t want to be distracted and he’ll veto any trade. So for now, Pujols remains a St. Louis Cardinal, a part of the team he’s said he wants to play for for the rest of his career.

I guess we’ll find out if that’s true or not.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Earlier this week, St. Louis Cardinals first baseman and free agent to-be Albert Pujols set a deadline for team management.  If he and the front office could not come to terms on a long-term extension by noon on Wednesday, February 16, he would halt negotiations and test the free agent market at season’s end.

Needless to say, the Cardinals would be foolish not to give Pujols his money.  He is the face of their franchise and the most popular player on the team.  Here are 10 reasons that if Pujols becomes a free agent he should remain in St. Louis

Begin Slideshow

Albert Pujols, the best hitter in all of baseball, the man no one thought would reach free agency, appears to be headed in that direction barring “a miracle,” according to sources in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

The sweet-swinging first baseman appears set to become a free agent at the end of the 2011 season, as his contract negotiating deadline is set to pass at noon Wednesday.

But don’t think that Pujols’ presence on the open market means that he’s headed out of St. Louis. In fact, most baseball people still think that the slugger isn’t going anywhere.

For further proof that Pujols is staying put, we’re bringing you 10 reasons why you’ll be seeing him in a Cardinals uniform this season.

Begin Slideshow

Quick, name the top five overall position players in baseball history.

Now, name the top ten overall position players in baseball history.

Did Stan Musial’s name appear anywhere in your top ten?  For most people, the answer would be no. 

Most people will say the top ten overall position players are some order of Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Willie Mays, Joe Dimaggio, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Pete Rose, Honus Wagner and Rogers Hornsby with maybe Rickey Henderson, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Mickey Mantle and many others thrown in.

Would it surprise you that Stan Musial belongs in the top ten position players of all-time? 

How about the top eight or top seven? 

What if I told you that an argument could even be made that he belongs in the top six?

Here are five players’ stats; let’s see how you would rank them one through five:

Player A:  .305 batting average, .374 OBP, .555 Slugging Percentage, .928 OPS, 155 OPS+

Player B:  .327 batting average, .391 OBP, .466 Slugging Percentage, .858 OPS, 150 OPS+

Player C:  .331 batting average, .417 OBP, .559 Slugging Percentage, .976 OPS, 159 OPS+

Player D:  .302 batting average, .384 OBP, .557 Slugging Percentage, .941 OPS, 155 OPS+,

Player E:  .325 batting average, .398 OBP, .579 Slugging Percentage, .977 OPS,  155 OPS+

Without having any further stats or player descriptions to go on, I would rank them in the following order:  Player C, Player E, Player A, Player D then Player B. 

Who are these players? 

Player A is Hank Aaron, Player B is Honus Wagner, Player C is Stan Musial, Player D is Willie Mays and Player E is Joe Dimaggio.  Does this mean he’s better than those four other players?  Not necessarily, but it does mean he should always be in the discussion and when discussing all-time ranking, he should at least be in the same neighborhood.

Why is Stan Musial seemingly forgotten and underrated everywhere except in St. Louis? 

I’m not exactly sure; all he did was put up the following stats in 22 years of playing baseball:

Three MVPs (and six other top-5 finishes), 20 time All-Star, 3026 games, .331 batting average, .417 OBP, .559 Slugging Percentage, .976 OPS, 159 OPS+, 475 HRs, 1951 RBIs, 3630 Hits, 1599 BBs and 696 Ks.

Musial was probably the most consistent hitter in baseball history. 

If you look at the stats of most hitters in baseball history, you will see a difference (sometimes a huge difference) between hitting at home or hitting on the road, hitting during the day and hitting at night; this is not the case for Stan. 

He had 1815 hits at home and 1815 hits on the road, batted .336 at home and .326 on the road,  and batted .340 in day games and .320 in night games.  He was a power hitter that could hit for average and had a great eye and was average/above average defensively.

The reason I believe Musial is underrated and “forgotten” is he wasn’t flashy.  He never led the league in HRs, he wasn’t a speed demon, he wasn’t a wizard with the glove; all he did was everything you want a player to do—do his job well and do it the same everyday, everywhere for his entire career.

Where would I rank Stan Musial all-time? 

I believe he is seventh. 

The top five players (Ruth, Williams, Gehrig, Mays and Cobb) all had one or two parts of their game that were the best ever (power, defense etc) and it makes it hard to rank Musial above them.  The only player you could argue Musial was better than in my list would be Dimaggio (I have him sixth) but I think Dimaggio takes a slight edge; but that’s an article for another day.

My hope is that now if you’re asked who the top 10 players of all-time in baseball history, you remember to include Stan “The Man” Musial somewhere in your list.

What do you think?  Is Musial underrated or “forgotten”, if so why do you think that’s so?  Is he a top 10 player of all-time?  Please comment with your thoughts below.

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Founded in 1892 and named the St. Louis Browns, the team first appeared at Sportsman’s Park. In 1900, the franchise was renamed “Cardinals” and the world famous uniforms were born.

The team lived a meager existence until the mid-1920s. In 2011, however, they’re second to the Yankees for the most World Series championships with 10. 

The Cardinals are the only National League team to have won more World Series head-to-head against the damned Yankees (3-2). 

Join me as I count down the top teams the Cardinals have ever put on the field.

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Albert Pujols is being offered an eight-year deal worth over $200 million, according to a report from Sports Illustrated. The three-time MVP has given the Cardinals a deadline lasting until Wednesday, to offer him a contract that he would sign, if it matched what he is looking for.

The current proposed contract would average out to over $25 million a season, almost identical to the deal Alex Rodriguez currently has with the New York Yankees.

Still, many people around baseball believe Pujols deserves a contract that nears $30 million a year, meaning that the Cardinals are offering him nearly $5 million less than what he supposedly should be getting.

Another factor in these talks is whether or not the MLB Players Union will block Pujols from signing a contract with the Cardinals worth significantly less than what other teams are willing to offer. The union wants to “raise the bar” of where professional baseball players’ salaries should be and Pujols accepting a deal worth only $25 million a season would go against what the union wants.

However, Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee recently proved that it is still possible to accept a smaller contract in order to sign with a player’s most desired team. Lee was being offered more money by the Yankees and Rangers in his free agency but decided to accept a five-year, $120 million deal that placed him on an already excellent pitching rotation.

Pujols is entering the last year of his current seven-year, $100 million contract and has had some of the most proficient seasons of any hitter in baseball history, in the contract’s span of time. His time with the Cardinals has been highlighted by nine All-Star appearances, three NL MVP honors and, above all, a World Series title.

There is no indication of whether or not Pujols will agree to the Cardinals’ offer within the next few hours, but if he doesn’t, this deal will at least stand as a benchmark of where he wants the contract to be.

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