There is an article on ESPN’s website by Buster Olney that “sources” have told him that the Phillies were kicking around an idea about sending Ryan Howard to the Cardinals for Albert Pujols. 

Phillies G.M called the rumor a “lie”, so right now thats all it is is a rumor, a very interesting one at that. It will no doubt be a hot topic going into this baseball season, you know it will give everybody something to talk about. The article itself makes sense, what it boils down to is what Pujols wants and will the Cardinals be able to afford it. Olney’s say in his article that Pujols could ask for something along the lines of what A-Rod is getting, if that happens then it would make it difficult for the Cardinals to sign him. this is where Ryan Howard comes in, both Howard and Pujols are under contract until 2011, both put up similar numbers, and it would be easier for the Cardinals to sign Howard to a long term deal, less money than Pujols.

Why trade for Pujols when he is going to leave after 2011? When the Phillies re-worked Howard’s contract to give him more money to avoid arbitration every year, they didn’t add any years to it, which leads this Phillies fan to believe that the Phillies know they won’t be able to afford Howard after 2011. What ever Pujols asks for, Howard would probably get just a little less, either way the Phillies could afford to sign either player to a long term deal. It would balance the lineup, one less left handed batter. Wouldn’t mind seein Pujols in a Phillies uniform. Could it happen sure, will it? Probably not, after all its just a rumor.

Buster Olney’s Article 

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