Adams is a bit of a wild hacker with a pretty long swing and no good defensive position. I think he'd be something like Mark Reynolds with less speed. Maybe Carlos Pena with a worse glove?

I think you'd be better served moving Freese over to 1b, Cox to 3b and Craig to RF after Berkman retires. Wong comes in at 2b and Jackson to SS. Then you start drafting bats like crazy in the hopes one of them sticks.

You could save up the FA money to chase someone like Hanley or Upton. I think that long-ass deal that Longoria signed is up in a couple of years. There is always another star on the horizon; they'll figure out a way to get the money spent and they'd be okay.

The real hit would be a PR one.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...a4bcf6878.html

DALLAS -- The Miami Marlins have been told by a representative of Albert Pujols that he will not be joining the calvacade of stars the free-spending club has collected this week at the winter meetings, according to a source familiar with that conversation.
The Marlins have retrained their focus now on pitching.
In addition to finalizing a contract with St. Charles native Mark Buehrle, the Marlins remain engaged in discussions with another free agent starter, reportedly C. J. Wilson. During his conversation with Marlins beat writers and one intruder, general manager Larry Beinfest said the team has put its focus on pitching.
"We are working very hard on pitching," Beinfest said. "We're working on some stuff. It's been an active week."
He added later: "Pitching remains a high priority."
The Cardinals, who cancelled a scheduled evening press briefing for tonight, remain in the best position to re-sign Pujols. Beinfest declined to comment on what he thought the market was for the three-time MVP beyond the Marlins interest.
-- Derrick Goold


Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseb...#ixzz1fubgWMuA

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/73...ision-imminent

"But despite the Marlins' exit from the bidding, sources said negotiations with the Cardinals hadn't progressed to the point where Pujols was close to agreeing to a deal to return to the only team he has ever played for.

The Cardinals planned to talk with Pujols' agent one more time Thursday before heading home. But ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported that the Cardinals' latest offer was for nine years -- not the 10-year, $220 million bid that was reported by the St. Louis Post Dispatch at one point Wednesday morning.

And one source who spoke with Pujols' camp came away with the impression the two sides were farther apart than had been widely portrayed earlier in the day.

USA Today reported that the Angels, who didn't meet with Lozano until Wednesday, made a 10-year offer worth at least $210 million. But the Angels also were engaged in heavy negotiations with Wilson on Wednesday. It was unclear whether the club could afford to sign both a high-priced free agent starter and a player such as Pujols, who will command a nine-figure contract."

...

"We heard late last night that there is "no shot" Albert Pujols will make a decision before the Winter Meetings end. Still, here's the latest on the man who has $200MM+ offers from three teams including the Cardinals, Angels, and a mystery team who would reportedly need to trade an established first baseman to clear a path for the three-time MVP"

That sounds like "Phillies" to me. Maybe the Twins or Reds?

Angels To Sign Albert Pujols

By Tim Dierkes [December 8 at 8:56am CST]
The Angels are the bridesmaid no more. Albert Pujols will sign with the Angels for ten years and $250-260MM, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown. He'll receive a full no-trade clause. Pujols decided this morning, writes Brown. If Pujols received more than $252MM, his new deal will be the second-largest in baseball history in both its total and average annual value. Pujols is represented by Dan Lozano of Icon Sports Group.

Pujols, 32 in January, was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999 in the 13th round and began his career with a staggering 11-year stretch. The first baseman is the active career leader in batting average (.328) and slugging percentage (.617), he's second among active players in career on-base percentage (.421). Pujols owns a Rookie of the Year award and three MVP awards, and has ranked no worse than ninth in the MVP voting in every season of his career. He's been extremely durable, averaging 155 games per season. The Cardinals signed Pujols to a long-term deal in 2004, which ended up being a huge bargain at $111MM over eight years. Pujols and the Cardinals failed to find common ground on an extension in February this year, but the contract didn't seem a distraction as the team ended up winning the World Series.

The suddenly free-spending Marlins made a competitive bid for Pujols this offseason, offering a ten-year deal. They seemingly dropped out after signing Mark Buehrle, and up until Thursday morning, the Cardinals were considered the favorite.
With Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo, the Angels now have a couple of first base trade chips. Morales could be non-tendered next week.

bye, and thanks for the memories.
sec

Wow.

Just another mercenary. I don't really know what else to say.

All I can say is I am glad the Cards are not going to be on the hook for $26 million per, especially once Albert gets into his late 30's and he really starts to decline. It sucks to lose a legend, but if the money is that important to him, best of luck to him.

Looking forward, looks like Master Allen is the smart pick to put at first and get his bat into the lineup every day. Now the Cards can go out and pick up 3-4 fairly decent pieces to fill out the lineup. Hanley Ramirez is not a happy camper in Miami right now so he could be a possible add at short. I would really like the Cards to fill out the middle infield and get maybe a starter or some mid-priced relief help.

Broxton just signed for $4 million.

There's no such thing as mid-priced relief help these days.

Go after Fielder or bank it. It's the high price of mediocrity that kills franchises these days.

Nothing decent comes cheap it appears. The Cards have $20 million to spend on different pieces, whether that be 1 piece (Fielder) or several pieces. This roster was in decent shape even without Albert, I think we will be fine next year, especially if Wainwright returns to form.

Because I don't feel like working, here is how I see the Cards lineup next year, even without free agent pickups:

1 Jay
2 Furcal (or other infielder if he doesn't resign)
3 Holliday
4 Master Allen
5 Berkman
6 Freesse
7 Molina
8 Skip/Punto/Other 2B
9 Pitcher

That is still a pretty damn potent lineup, especially if Master Allen and Freese can continue on their success from last year's postseason.

I'm not gonna lie - I really want Fielder now.

A lefty slugger manning the cleanup spot after Holliday (who takes his rightful spot as a 3 hitter) and Berkman would make this lineup just as dangerous as last years, if not moreso.

There are ways to move on from this and be just fine for it.

It does make perfect sense for an aging veteran to sign with an American League team. That's what the DH was created for.

Makes sense all the way around. Pujols would be nuts not to take a ten year deal with full no trade and $25 million per year. The Cardinals would have been nuts to do it. I think they dodged a bullet. And the way it played out the team doesn't bear the PR problem of people saying they let the best player of his generation walk. They will be better off in the end.

This...But would Fielder also demand Pujols money?

Why the **** would Fielder demand Pujols money?

It's going to cost a lot to get him though. The market isn't as big as he hoped for, but the Cubs have reportedly be after him for a lot of money for less years.

No Pujols, no Larussa?

Are there any other teams out there willing to give it to him?

The Cardinals have always operated pretty well with Boras and the suitors for a big money 1bman have kinda whittled down (the Marlins have burned their cash).

Unless the Cubs snatch him, it would seem that the Cardinals are still in the best shape for him, no? I guess the Rangers could also make a strong play.