The Three Paths of AP

Now that the Cardinals and Albert Pujols have decided to take it to a Constanza-like standoff, there are only three possible outcomes. Here they are in my order of preference:

First, either during the season or during the free agent sweepstakes, the Cardinals offer a package which does the best they can and allows them to be competitive, Albert adopts the Cliff Lee attitude that "it's not all about money", and everyone lives happily ever after.

Second, during the free agent period, the Cardinals offer the best deal they can without damaging the ability of the team to win, but Albert decides to accept bigger money from a large-market team. After some adjustment, I contend everyone can still live happily ever after.

Third, either during the season or during the free agent sweepstakes, the Cardinals pay more than they can afford, Albert signs, but the team is seriously compromised. In this case, no one lives happily ever after, because being a perennial loser is fun for no one.