Albert Pujols to Angels: Why the Cardinals Should Now Target Jimmy Rollins

If the whole world hasn’t already discovered, Albert Pujols signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels this morning, apparently worth around $250 million over the span of 10 years.

As Cardinal fans nationwide continue to blow up social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, comparing Pujols’ character to that of LeBron James, Cardinals‘ General Manager John Mozeliak has more pressing matters to attend to.

The loss of “El Hombre” frees up a lot of cap room for the team this season, and the team’s front office needs to decide how to spend that money.

St. Louis now has the funding to pick up multiple talented role players to bolster its lineup. It could also spend it one one of this offseason’s marquee free agents.

After Pujols, Derek Lee and Prince Fielder highlight the rest this year’s class of free-agent first basemen. However, the Cardinals are most likely address their vacancy at first by moving Lance Berkman from the outfield back to his natural position.

Berkman was the surprise hero of last year’s regular season, and with him now at first the Cards now have more options on what they would like to do during free agency.

St. Louis already has a deep, talented roster. Those who followed the World Series recall that Pujols really only contributed offensively in one game during the series against the Texas Rangers and that most of his team mates picked up most of the slack.

With the Cardinals roster already loaded with role players, St. Louis should go after another potential All-Star, somebody who can share the spotlight with Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday and David Freese.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is on the market and would provide St. Louis a definite upgrade over Rafael Furcal.

Rollins, who batted .268 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI last season, made $8.5 million with Philadelphia in 2011, so the Cardinals could definitely pay him enough to come to St. Louis.

Rollins won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2007 along with three All-Star appearances and Gold Glove awards as well. 

According to ESPN’s Jim Bowden, new Cardinals manager Mike Matheny went on the radio Tuesday, saying that Rollins is, in fact, on St. Louis’ radar at the shortstop position

Known for his base-stealing ability, Rollins would gobble up bases for the Redbirds. He also brings veteran leadership to the ball club, along with his excellent defensive skill set.

He’s 33 years old now, but Rollins still has a few years of of great baseball left in him.

He, like the rest of the St. Louis Cardinals, has championship experience. If the two sides were to ever come to an agreement, Rollins would be able to compete for another World Series crown right away, and the Cardinals would have another outstanding veteran to help them get past the recent departure of a St. Louis legend. 

Jimmy Rollins is no Albert Pujols, but that wouldn’t really matter if he wins a World Series before “El Hombre” and the new-look Angels.

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