With Money To Spend, Cubs Will Target Pujols in 2012

When the 2011 season concludes, the Chicago Cubs could potentially have $40MM come off the books for the 2012 season. The $40MM comes from Carlos Silva, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, and half of Carlos Pena’s $10MM coming off the books in expiring contracts. What this means is that the Cubs have set themselves up to be big time spenders next winter. To compare, it is like what the Detroit Tigers or Los Angeles Angels have experienced this off-season. As both teams have essentially had a vast amount of resources available to go after multiple big name free agents.

Which brings us to the 1 year, $10MM contract that the Cubs gave to power hitting first baseman Carlos Pena. Whether or not Pena proves worth the $10MM is irrevelant, because the Cubs set themselves up for potentially making a blockbuster free agent signing in 2012. According to the Chicago Sun Times, whispers were heard at the Winter Meetings that the Cubs are putting themselves in a position to target Albert Pujols next winter.

Let me say that again, the Cubs are potentially putting themselves in a position to target Albert Pujols next winter when he becomes a free agent. However, it remains to be seen whether or not St Louis will sign Pujols to a mega-deal before he hits free agency. Despite talking during the Winter Meetings, the Cardinals and Pujol’s camp are not close to establishing the basic parameters of a deal yet. But, I still believe that the St Louis Cardinals will eventually sign Albert Pujols to a long term extension. Because it just seems that the Cardinals have been setting themselves up over the past two year to give Pujols the mega-deal that he is probably seeking. Although, Pujols may be seeking a deal that is better than the 10 year, $275MM deal that the New York Yankees gave Alex Rodriguez in 2008. While it may not be for 10 years, the expectation is that Pujols could get a 7 year deal that would pay him $28MM to $29MM a year. That would put the combined total of the contract at $196MM or even $203MM.

On the off chance that the St Louis Cardinals do not re-sign Albert Pujols, the Cubs are in a prime position of all the big market teams to land the game’s best player. Because with -New York Yankees having Mark Teixiera; The Red Sox with Adrian Gonzalez; The White Sox with Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko; New York Mets with Ike Davis- many of the other big market teams already have a proven first baseman, they probably will not be in the running for Pujols. Which would leave the Cubs and the Los Angeles Angels as the only two teams that can offer big money to Pujols.

But lets say that Pujols does stay with Cardinals, who would the Cubs then target? Well, that answer may be the guy that Cubs just signed to a one year, $10MM deal in Carlos Pena. If Carlos Pena does in fact have a bounce back year, let’s say .240 with 35 home runs and over 100 RBI’s, the Cubs would be very interested in signing him to a long term extension. This is another reason why you have to like the Carlos Pena contract for the Chicago Cubs. Because, essentially Pena is auditioning for a big payday in 2012, a payday in which could be provided by the Chicago Cubs.

Regardless of what happens with Albert Pujols and St Louis, the Cubs will almost certainly be big spenders next winter.