Call me crazy, but the contract extension Ryan Howard received from Philadelphia on Monday sets up a possible trade scenario involving the Cardinals, Phillies and Yankees.
Howard’s five-year, $125 million extension was a harbinger to what will be baseball’s next mega-deal, the contract Albert Pujols will sign at some point in the next two years.
The deal Pujols’ signed with St. Louis in 2004 will come to an end upon the completion of the 2011 season.
Unless the Cardinals work out a new deal or manufacture a trade before then, Pujols will become the most highly pursued free agent in the history of baseball.
Based on St. Louis’ current payroll, realistically they can’t afford the type of contract Pujols will command.
But the Cardinals do have options available, although the most painful among them would be trading Pujols in 2011.
Pujols has indicated that he’d like to finish his career in St. Louis and the Cardinals would love nothing better.
He’s also said that money isn’t the primary concern, but with Howard’s new deal in place, the question becomes whether he’d be willing to accept less money to remain in St. Louis.
With Pujols considered to be the best player in the game today and assuming his production continues at its current level, everyone agrees he could sign a deal that pays him well beyond $30 million annually.
The Phillies and New York Yankees are two of the big market clubs that could pay Pujols that amount of money.
With Howard earning $25 million per season until 2015 and Mark Teixeira making an average of $22.5 million annually until 2017, St. Louis could trade Pujols to Philadelphia or the Yankees for comparable players earning less than what he’s expected to get.
All three players are 30 years of age and Howard is a native of St. Louis. Of the two possible trade scenarios, Howard would seem to be the better fit even though he would cost the Cardinals more money.
The Cardinals would still have major issues to iron out if they wanted to trade for Howard or Teixeira. To begin, the money both of them are earning is beyond what St. Louis can afford.
St. Louis spent virtually all of their available money to pay Matt Holliday this past offseason when they signed him to a seven-year, $120 million deal.
Unless owner Bill DeWitt decides to substantially increase the club’s payroll, the Cardinals couldn’t afford Howard or Teixeira, much less Pujols.
But the biggest problem St. Louis has is how Cardinals’ fans will react if the franchise entertains the possibility of trading Pujols.
DeWitt isn’t well-liked in St. Louis because of his perceived penny-pinching, despite the Cardinals consistently drawing three million or more fans every year.
GM John Mozeliak did a lot last season to overcome the perception that he was simply a bean counter and a yes man for DeWitt. 
The trades that brought Mark DeRosa, Julio Lugo and Holliday to St. Louis eased the pressure on him, but now he’s faced with having to figure out what to do about Pujols.
Fans in St. Louis want to see Pujols end his career in a Cardinals uniform, and anything less will be considered a failure.
But under their current financial constraints, St. Louis may not have a choice but to trade Pujols.
If the club signed him to the type of deal he’s expected to receive, the Cardinals wouldn’t have enough money to sign future free agents like Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, leaving the team with two very high priced stars and little else.
Psychologists like to call the Cardinals situation a conundrum, and that’s exactly what DeWitt and Mozeliak are going to be faced with when deciding what to do with Pujols.
If ever there was a time for creative thinking and the effective use of problem-solving skills, the Cardinals would be well-served to employ them now.
If they don’t resign Pujols or trade him before the deadline in 2011, DeWitt and Mozeliak will have nothing but the contempt of Cardinals’ fans to hang their hats on – and they’ll need Secret Service protection to boot.
Great scribble!
The Phillies signed Howard to a great affordable contract and he’s swatted 45 HR’s and over 140 RBI’s four seasons in a row, what benefit would they get trading him for a more expensive Pujols when the two run neck and neck every season for the MVP?
As for all these pundits portending doom and gloom for Howard, they ought to drink a big glass of reality, the guy flat out hits…
I agree that both produce a lot every season, but Pujols hits for a better average and he’s a better fielder. Hitting for a better average in front of Rollins, Victorino and Utley could lead to even better production than Howard.
Hey Ed, the only reason Ryan is in the convo is because he’s on a much better team. Albert is the most feared and best hitter in the game plus he plays a much better 1st base than Howard.
But regardless, I’ll be more than happy if the Yankees trade for Kimg Albert.
I agree Turd, the Yankees would trade Teixeira in a second if they thought Pujols was available. In terms of dollars, he makes the most sense. And he’s a great fielding first baseman and would fit nicely hitting in front of or behind Holliday. The fact he’s a switch hitter gives the Cards more flexibility with their lineup too. I’d rather see Pujols stay in St. Louis, but I’m not so sure it can happen.