The greatest rumor in baseball history is possibly the Ted Williams for Joe DiMaggio trade the Yankees and Red Sox supposedly discussed in 1949.
Now however, a new rumor is circulating around the league that is just as epic. Sources close to the Phillies organisation say an idea was discussed within the club which included a Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols trade.
To put it into context, it would be like Barcelona and Manchester United swapping Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney or the LA Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers swapping Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (if they were the same age).
Such a trade, if it were to happen, would be a spectacular one. Seldom do teams make blockbuster trades on this scale. St Louis fans will think it would be madness to even consider trading Pujols, widely regarded as the best player in baseball, but there could be some method to the madness.
Consider the fact that Pujols will be eligible for free agency at the end of the 2011 season and he could command with ease a contract more lucrative than Alex Rodriguez’s 10-year $275million deal, which he signed in 2007. In fact Pujols could become the first player to break the $30million a year barrier, and if he goes to free agency he certainly would break that barrier.
The closer we get to the end of 2011 the trade value of Pujols drops, not only because he would be nearing free agency but also his age, at 30 the first baseman should start entering the decline phase of his career.
Howard, a first baseman himself wouldn’t be a bad replacement. Although he too will be a free agent at the end of 2011 and his current salary pays him more than Pujols, Howard will not be as expensive come free agency.
Both players are 30 and although Pujols is regarded as the best hitter in the majors it is Howard who has hit more home runs in the last four years, 198 to be precise - 38 more than Pujols.
Let’s not forget as well that Howard is a St Louis native and as with most hometown players, fans love to see them at home.
But if the Phillies fans are l*****g their lips at the prospect of seeing Pujols line up for the 2008 World Series Champions, l*****g their lips is all they will be doing because Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro has flatly denied the rumors.
"Lies, that's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie,” Amaro said when asked about the rumour.
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