Yeah it'll be interesting to see who scoops up Fielder and Pujols. It seems the Cards are already hedging their bets he won't be back with the Berkman resigning, and Bosox/Yanks are out. Phils are most likely out even with the Howard injury. LA and NYMets have financial issues. The Cubs could probably swing it, but will Albert want to go to a crap team with zero pitching and sketchy/aging "superstars" (Ramirez/Soriano) to protect him in the lineup? Anaheim would be a good possibility b/c they have a winning team already. Maybe the Nats will open their purse even more after the Werth signing, but doubtful. If I were Albert I'd just give St.L a hometown discount and go longterm-->retirement, he's already a demigod there.
The bankrupt Dodgers are (unfortunately) just a long-term TV deal away from having money to spend. If I was GM, I'd try to lure Pujols back with maybe 6 years and A-Rod's $27.5M annual average. The Cardinals are apparently considered roughly even money against the field right now to retain Pujols but it might take a big money deal. The Angels don't like bidding wars, but the fact remains the Cardinals can't match a big market team's best offer. They simply blew too much on Holliday 2 years back, and they just can't afford a $150M annual player payroll.
With Prince Fielder, I'd look at his father's career trajectory and decline to give him any deal longer than 6 years. I can't imagine he'll age like a bottle of fine wine even though he's been durable in recent years.
So far in this game, I'm not confident because Cardinal batters have been choking it up, and Carpenter hasn't been as dominant as in game 1. Felt the Rangers could yet make something happen, even against Carp or eventually Motte.
Beltre in this series looks like he should have had an MVP award in his career, not counting the lost Seattle years.
edit:WTF run w/ Pujols at the plate???