Albert Pujols Is No Longer A St. Louis Cardinal

The drama surrounding where Albert Pujols would sign has come to an end and once again it is the “mystery” team that got the man. Pujols has come to an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a ten-year contract worth up to $260. The deal comes with a full no-trade clause according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Pujols had as many as four suitors including the Cardinals clamoring for his services. The Miami Marlins were the initial front runner being the first to offer a ten-year contract. The Cardinals upped their offer on Tuesday to ten years. The dollar amounts for each of those contracts was never fully confirmed, though it was rumored the Cardinals offer could be worth $220 million. There were also two mystery teams apparently in the mix for the all-star first baseman.

Despite Pujols long tenure with the Cardinals and his immense popularity, he has apparently decided that the time had come to move on. He had declared often that he felt slighted by not being offered a contract making him the highest paid first baseman. Without hearing from Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak first, we do not know if the Cardinals had a final chance to meet the offer, or they passed on such an offer.

Maybe Mozeliak knew something last night? He uncharacteristically, declined to have his evening press conference Wednesday. According to MLB.com reporter Matthew Leach, Cardinals director of media relations Brian Bartow said Mozeliak, “has nothing he can share tonight”. Or at least he had no good news to share.

Initially there are few positives Cardinals’ fans may derive from Pujols’ departure. But as each day went by, the uncertainty of his signing put the Cardinals behind in other matters related to the roster. A contract of this magnitude put obvious limitations on Mozeliak’s ability to make other decisions. He can now determine his next steps. If Mozeliak was willing to spend close to this kind of money on Pujols, then there is money in the budget to improve the roster in other ways.

It will be interesting to see what Mozeliak’s back up plans are. Do they try to move in on Prince Fielder? He’s a younger option and will cost less money. One thing is for certain, today begins a new day in St. Louis Cardinals history. The storybook ending was not in the Cards…

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