There is a rumor circulating that somebody somewhere floated the trade of Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals being sent to the Philadelphia Phillies for Ryan Howard. Now that would be a big trade and not just because Pujols is 6’3” and weighs 230 and Howard is 6’4” and tips the scales at 259. This would be a big trade because it’s a trade of two of the most potent bats in baseball.
Let’s look at some numbers. Pujols has been in the league for nine seasons. Over those seasons he’s averaged: 42 homeruns, 129 rbi, .334 ba, .427 obp, and a 1.055 ops. He’s won the MVP three times and one gold glove.
Howard has been in the league six seasons. Over those seasons his averages are: 49 homeruns, 142 rbi, .279 ba., .376 obp, and a .961 ops. He has won the MVP once. He will most likely never win a gold glove. He also averages 194 strikeouts per season compared to 66 for Pujols.
Oh, Howard is two months older than Pujols. Howard is a very fine player, his WAR value was 4.8 in 2009. Pujols may make claim to being one of the top 3 all around ballplayers on the planet with his WAR last year at 8.5. In fact since his rookie year his WAR has never dipped below 7.7.
Why would the Cardinals even think of thinking of considering trading Pujols. It comes down to one word: money. Pujols becomes a free agent after 2011. Pujols is going to want the same type of money the Yankees gave A-Rod and while Puhols is certainly worth it, the Cards may feel they can’t afford it. Therefore they will ship him off to another team and still get a very good player in return. To this I say poppycock, if the Cardinals could find money for Matt Holiday they will find money for their franchise player Pujols. The Cardinals have always been a smart organization they’ll find a way to keep Pujols. If not they aren’t as smart as I thought. Plus, the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox will also come knocking at their door.
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