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Albert Pujols is a member of the Los Angeles Angels after signing a 10-year, $254 million deal.Angels fans should be ecstatic but you know who should be even happier?
St. Louis and Miami.
That seems crazy but it's true.
Deals of seven-plus seasons have traditionally not worked out well for the franchise.
Remember Alex Rodriguez signing for $252 million with the Rangers? How about seven years and $126 million for Barry Zito?
It can cripple a franchise but what makes this different is Pujols is 31 and he will continue to be paid $25 million into his 40s.
To think Pujols will still be as productive at age 40 is delusional.
That and that $25 million can turn into at least two solid players for either team to use. Miami has already taken advantage of that.
Now, because Pujols did not decide about Miami, the Marlins went out and got Mark Buehrle to bolster their pitching staff, which was a greater need.
They even offered CJ Wilson a deal before he eventually signed with the Angels.
They now have Josh Johnson, Buehrle, Hanley Ramirez, Heath Bell, Jose Reyes, Mike Stanton and Gaby Sanchez.
Miami is starting to look like a playoff contender.
As for St. Louis, the pain of losing your beloved star can last for a while but I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt as much coming off a World Series championship.
Pujols was one of the greatest Cardinals in the team's long and storied history but it's not like the team will be left for dead.
The Cardinals still have Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday to fill the middle of the order.
They have young players like David Freese and Allen Craig that carried the Cardinals in the World Series. The top of the rotation gets Adam Wainwright back to go along with Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia.
This is still an incredibly talented team capable of winning the NL Central without Pujols patrolling first base.
Fear not, Miami and St. Louis. Losing Pujols may have been a blessing in disguise.
Follow me on Twitter: @ZFarmerExaminer
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