Beerleaguer for breakfast: Pujols a fit for Phillies?

Would the hometown nine think big and pursue the game’s best hitter? They’ve already wooed two of the game’s best pitchers.

The whispers began last spring that the Phillies had kicked the tires on a Ryan Howard-for-Albert Pujols blockbuster. At the time, Ruben Amaro did not beat around the bush: "Lies," he said. "That's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie." Despite Amaro’s denial, a Howard-for-Pujols deal made some sense. And this spring, a trade based around Howard and Joe Blanton for Pujols would make a lot of sense. In short, here’s why:

Lineup balance: The Phillies’ 2010 lineup was slightly lefty-heavy, but now with the departure of Jayson Werth, their lineup is extremely lefty-heavy. Though they won’t admit it, the Phillies are in desperate need of a righty bat in the middle of their order. The deal would also give them a player who strikes out far less than Howard, not to mention a significant upgrade defensively.

Cardinals need pitching: The Cardinals had planned to contend for the World Series this year, but Adam Wainwright’s season-ending elbow injury has changed all that. They are currently in no-man’s land, where they can’t win it all this year and they’re in danger of losing Pujols as a free agent after this season. Howard would give them a long-term solution at first base, while Blanton would help them fill Wainwright’s shoes. The Phillies could also round out the trade with prospects from their deep talent pool.

Flexibility: The deal could help out both teams over the long term. The Phillies owe Ryan Howard $145 million over the next six seasons. Blanton is due a combined $17 million between this year and next. The Phils’ payroll is probably a notch higher than they are comfortable with. Pujols reportedly is seeking 10 years in the neighborhood of $30 million per season. The Phillies wouldn’t give him that kind of money, but they could probably agree on a shorter deal with a higher annual salary. Philadelphia has become a destination for superstars in their quest for a title and the Phillies are heavy favorites. Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay took less years and passed up free agency to be here. And even if Pujols leaves next winter as a free agent, the Phillies would have significant financial flexibility next year.

- Written for Beerleaguer by Drew Silverman

Comments

[Mikeh]

Sounds great! Not gonna happen

[Shaun]

Yeah, when you lose you best pitcher, the next logical step is not to give away your best hitter for Joe Blanton.

[3r0ck]

Do it

[awh]

Howard
Blanton
Worley
Cosart or Colvin

That's probably what it would take to get it done.

And I wouldn't do it if I were the Phillies unless Pujols agreed to a contract - that's highly unlikely - so, IMHO, there's no way this get's done, mostly because Pujols probably wants to decide AFTER the season where he's going to play the rest of his career.

[Zudok]

To me, it makes sense for both teams to at least look at this. I'm surprised how the idea got dismissed out of hand - in most places - when it resurfaced after the Pujols deadline passed.

[EastFallowfield]

Yo, new thread already

[king myno]

Can't believe people are still talking about this, even speculatively. Not gonna happen.

[pb]

Remember when Cliff Lee was gonna sign with the Yankees? How about when Roy Halladay was pissed he didn't get traded to us at the deadline? Or when Roy Oswalt wouldn't except a trade to Philadelphia.. This team anything is possible. If I told you 2 years that RAJ would acquire 4 aces via trade/FA Lee 2x, Halladay, Oswalt

we all would have said never gonna happen but it did

fingers crossed on Big AL

[Hitman]

I strongly agree with the concept of a trade. It makes great sense for both teams. I am a bit tired of hearing from the folks whose kneejerk response is always that this or that trade can't happen. It can happen because it makes sense. It is unlikely that negotiations with Pujols can occur before any such trade, however, unloading Blanton's contract is a plus. Most would agree that Howard's contract was a bad deal. Even if Pujols were not to sign with the Phils, they would have the resources to greatly improve the team next year. Howard would be a huge fan attraction because of his St Louis roots, and boosting attendance is certainly a big plus for the Cardinals. If the deal is not made, the need for a strong righthanded bat remains.

[Mike]

I don't think I'd do a Howard-for-Pujols deal, in spite of the fact that Pujols is definitely a better player all around. We have Howard locked in long-term, and I believe that we will continue to produce, assuming he stays healthy. Trading for Pujols this season would put us in the precarious situation of having to put together a blockbuster contract to keep him year past 2011. What if the Phillies couldn't get it done? Then we'd have nothing to show for past this season. No more big power hitter "par excellence."

The other thing to consider is the x-factor that comes from a home-grown all star like Ryan Howard. No matter how great a free agent-signed player may be (like Cliff Lee, Halladay), there is something even more special about talent (Cole Hamels, Howard, Rollins, Utley) who come up directly through the Phillies system.

Ultimately, they become the true nucleus of the team, since they have been with the organization from the beginning. Just as free agents come into the picture "late" in a dynasty like the Phillies, they too can easily exit "early," since they aren't really emotionally invested in the team.

Hopefully Lee and Halladay will be exceptions to this rule -- they seem to love the team -- but Pujols strikes me as a player who would never really invest himself long-term.