Bernie: If Pujols And The Cardinals Want To Reunite, This Potential Daydream Has Many Questions.

What’s next for Albert Pujols?

After being released by the Angels, Pujols has several options:

1–Retire.

2–Find a team that’s willing to commit significant playing time at first base, DH, or both.

3–If no such offer is presented, then accept the reality of the situation and agree to settle for a lesser role. Making a spot starts at first base. Pinch-hitting. Swinging the bat as a plug-in DH for interleague games played in American League parks.

4–Go overseas to play baseball. Manny Ramirez extended his career in Taiwan and Australia. But that won’t help Pujols reach 700 homers in his MLB career, so I can’t imagine why he’d even consider this path.

But if Pujols doesn’t receive an offer that comes with good-faith assurances of a lineup–regular role — and if he flatly rules out retirement — then he’ll have to be amenable to the idea of becoming a spot-duty contributor. Play a little first base, do a lot of pinch-hitting, and jump into the DH spot when applicable. Obviously, Pujols would have more opportunity for playing time by staying in the AL.

What about The Reunion?

Pujols II in The Lou.

The Pujols family still has a home here. His charitable foundation — so important to Albert and his wife Deidre — is here.

The best 11 years of his career played out here. His Hall of Fame career was all but certified here. This is where Pujols became a three-time league MVP, two-time World Series champion and a winner in life.

Yadier Molina is here. Adam Wainwright is here. Many former teammates and friends are here. Pujols is Nolan Arenado’s favorite player. On Friday, without prompting, Nado said “I love the guy.” Pujols and Arenado hit together last offseason and have become buddies.

Pujols knows that his most passionate and supportive fans are here. The fondest memories are here. There is so much personal and professional history here … so much love here.

But is there a job here? A meaningful gig on the Cardinals’ 26-man roster? Is there a chance for a happy ending shared by Pujols, the Cardinals, their fans, and St. Louis?

It’s a wonderful thought.

And unlikely.

But not impossible.

There’s no chance of this becoming nothing more than a naive, day-dream fantasy unless Pujols has enthusiasm for a downsized assignment.

I looked at some of the DH situations in the American League and was surprised to see so many poor performances. So I assume Pujols has a good shot of landing a DH job in the AL.

However …

I’ll say this: if Pujols is destined to be relegated to part-time duty no matter where he plays next, then St. Louis would be the right spot. And besides, the Milwaukee Brewers need a first baseman … so the Cardinals can put a block on all that.

There’s no chance to make the reunion a reality unless the Cardinals are comfortable and confident about a plan that undoubtedly would lead to limited at-bats for one of the greatest players in 100+ years of this venerated franchise.

Would manager Mike Shildt and president of baseball ops John Mozeliak trust Pujols to follow through with a predetermined understanding about the terms of his expected playing time? As he sits on the bench day after day, would Pujols have second thoughts about his desire to reconnect with the Cardinals?

With too much rest, would Pujols turn restless?

Given the immense amount of respect that the Cardinals have for Pujols, would they live with the anxiety of Albert feeling disrespected as he waits for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s next day off?

All of this would be hard to pull off. It’s asking a lot of Pujols to agree to downshift. It’s asking a lot of the Cardinals to live with the constant pressure of doing the right thing with an icon — especially if the icon is used sparingly.

But if there is enough trust in the Pujols-Cardinals relationship, this could work. There could be room for Pujols.

Two words: John Nogowski.

The Big Nogowski made the 26-man roster out of spring training. There was talk of using him a little in left field, but that never came about. Clearly the Cardinals had doubts about his ability to play the outfield. But they were willing to keep him to make regular pinch-hitting appearances and step in at first base from time to time. Maybe share DH duties with Matt Carpenter during AL-site interleague games.

The role that Nogowski had before going on the IL with a hand injury … that would be the same exact role filled by Pujols in this hypothetical reunion scenario.

Could Pujols help? His pride remains fully intact. His hitting performance has eroded. Since the start of the 2018 season, among 184 hitters with at least 1,000 plate appearances, Pujols ranks 165th in OPS+ (88), 153rd in batting average (.239), 178th in OBP (.290), and 141st in slugging percentage (.414.) There’s some pop in that bat; Pujols has 53 homers since the beginning of 2018, which ranks 75th among the 184 hitters.

And really, that’s what this choice should come down to: would this be (A) a waste of Pujols time, and (B) a waste of a precious roster spot.

Then again, have you looked at the Cardinals’ bench lately?

Not exactly Murderer’s Row.

And what if Paul Goldschmidt’s back problems flare up again? Just saying,

Pujols still hits the ball hard. Just go look at Statcast.

(See, I’m trying to talk myself into this. Hah! I’ll settle down.)

Just having Pujols back in a Cardinals uniform would generate a tremendous amount of excitement, and fill many, many hearts with happiness. And he would help fill many, many seats at Busch Stadium.

But the baseball part — the competition, the winning, the losing — kicks in. And then what?

This is probably more of a stargaze than a true star turn. It shouldn’t be an act of ceremony — a farewell and a sendoff. The baseball part must matter. I don’t think Pujols would want it any other way.

But forgive me for thinking this …

Imagine a warm St. Louis reunion, highlighted by winning baseball and a trip to the postseason — well, that would be a perfect homecoming for Pujols and the Cardinals.

OK, you can slap me back to reality now.

Thanks for reading…

–Bernie

Please check out Bernie’s sports-talk show on 590-AM The Fan, KFNS. It airs Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. and Friday from 4-6 p.m. You can listen live online and download the Bernie Show podcast at 590thefan.com  … the 590 app works great and is available in your preferred app store.