Did You Hear The News?

Pujols shows off his new jersey/AP Images

After winning the World Series title, the champs are going through a lot of changes.


By Thomas Rende


Albert Pujols left the St. Louis Cardinals. He had a contract offer from the Cardinals that was worth a reported $220 million over 10 years. The deal wasn't good enough. The extra $30 million that he received from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was enough for him to jump. Disneyland is just that much better with the addition of the greatest baseball player in the league. The Cardinals didn't just stand by the sandbox and watch their castle get destroyed, they went to work.

The production that Pujols gave to the Cardinals in his 11 year tenure is undeniably great. He was a 3 time MVP, 2 time World Series champion, and 9 time all-star while with the Cardinals. Those numbers don't put into perspective the effect and the impact he had on the franchise and the city. It's time for them to move on and they’re ready to embrace a team that is welcoming back Adam Wainwright and a crop full of young arms that played part in the key run to the World Series last year. The question is, how do you cope with the loss of a player who has been a key cog in your lineup for more than a decade?

Last year was Pujols's worst offensive season of his career. His RBI's, OBP, WAR, Avg, and Slugging percentages were all career lows. With a season like this, most people would be surprised to see the Cardinals make the playoffs let alone win a World Series Championship. The hole left by Pujols was picked up largely by Lance Berkman. Berkman had a phenomenal year, hitting over 30 homeruns and compiling an OPS of .959 which was good for 6th in the MLB. The "Big Puma" had to man left field last year which wasn't easy for an oversized, lifelike "hamburglar" but this year he gets to man first base. The man replacing him in left field was THE most underrated signing of the off season.

Carlos Beltran played fantastic last year for both the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants. He had an OPS of over .900 and played solid defense. He is a quiet man who with age has learned the proper ways to mentor younger players. Mets players have raved about his ability to connect with everyone on the team, even troubled relief pitchers. This quality cannot be overlooked with the loss of Tony LaRussa.

The two guys mentioned above may be older but they should complement the young talent on this team very well. If they can provide similar production to last year they will be considered a bargain at a combined $25 million. That number seems familiar, doesn't it Albert?