Quo Vadis Albert Pujols? Likely not St. Louis, as we look at Cards' batting needs

As free agency waits in limbo after a hot pre-lockout start, even though the Cards primarily need pitching, some fans are speculating about hitting as well.

And, their thoughts have turned to the Phat Albert guy.

Albert Pujols is one that many Cards fans are saying "bring him back." And, in doing so, bringing yet more derision to the "Best Fans in Baseball" moniker.

First, if there is no NL DH (let us hope), he's only coming back on a one-day retirement deal. And, even if there IS an NL DH? Paul Goldschmidt is a righty first baseman and the team might do the common AL route of giving starters a blow from fielding. Especially if all outfielders are having decent batting years, that would be likely. And, would Albert take a contract at little more than the minimum? Beyond that, he's almost certainly at least one if not two years older than he claims.

Phat Albert, when he announced he was planning to play Dominican winter ball for the first time. told Red Satan and the Orange County Register he's ready to play next year. And? For how many dineros and how much playing time. He swallowed some pride to go to the Dodgers and platoon, but I still wonder if part of that was a "fuck you" across town to the Angels. And, let's not forget that his actual age next year will almost certainly be 43, maybe 44, and not 42.

There's one other reason he won't go to St. Louis. 

And, that is that the Cards are righty-heavy in the infield, especially if Matt Carpenter doesn't come back after the team declined his option. Tommy Edman is a switch-hitter. Everybody else is straight righty. Of outfielders, Dylan Carlson switches and Justin Williams, outrighted to Memphis and eligible for minor league free agency, per MLBTR, is the only actual lefty the team had there this past season.

The lockout has likely further complicated things for Pujols, and will do so more and more the longer it lasts. That's if he's actually signed to a real contract versus the old "invite to spring training."

There are several reasons for this. 

First, free agent movement of players who are a bit younger and more spry than Pujols, but still near the bottom of the free agency spectrum needs to sort itself out, after whenever the logjam ends.

Second, teams need to learn what sort of ask Albert and his agent have. Could be realistic. Could be ridiculous, as noted above.

Third, and probably intertwined with the lockout, is whether the NL adopts the DH for the coming year or not. That changes the needs of NL teams.

Fourth, Albert needs to show what he's got in Dominican winter ball. He HAS, while not gotten fat, "thickened" since he left St. Louis, and especially in the last three-four years.

So, Cards fans chanting "Pujols"? The only way he comes to St. Louis is on a one-day "retire as a Redbird" contract. Or, it SHOULD be.

So, No. 2, who "should" the Cards get on the bat side.

Jonathan Villar. Plays all three IF positions besides 1B, and switches. Now, is he willing to play less than full time, especially if the NL doesn't have a DH? Good question. But, allow for him starting a dozen games at each of the three infield spots, a dozen at DH against AL teams under the current structure, for about 50 starts or 200 PAs, and picking up 50 PAs elsewhere, and he might settle for that. He is coming off a one-year FA contract after having been traded one year before that, and again one year before that. Sign him for two years and you can probably get him for decent money.

MLBTR suggests Brad Miller but I'm not sold. He's a defensive negative, doesn't play 3B, though he does play first, and is a straight lefty. (In a new piece, MLBTR says Villar is probably past his best days at short, but since the Cards would be signing him as a utility infielder, that wouldn't be a deal.)

Do that, then focus on the pitching I mentioned before the lockout. The team still needs to upgrade, and with Carp and Dexter Fowler both off the books now, it can afford to do so.