Freese-ing out the Rangers

You can always expect at least one player to show up big for your team during the World Series.

Last year, Edgar Renteria stepped up for the San Francisco Giants with a series-winning hit in game five of the World Series.  This year, third basemen David Freese achieved a little more than just that for the St. Louis Cardinals. 

In game six of this year's Fall Classic, Freese hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings.  Then, with the game still tied in the bottom of the eleventh, Freese cranked a solo home run shot to deep center field as the St. Louis Cardinals walked off with the win and forced a game seven.  After a commanding 6-2 victory in game seven, the Cardinals won their second World Series in six seasons.

Now that the offseason has begun, the Cardinals will have multiple decisions to make. Tony LaRussa brought two World Series titles to the city of St. Louis. After being involved with baseball for over forty years, LaRussa had felt it was time to step away from the game. LaRussa is arguably one of the best coaches in Major League history. The 2011 World Series title put him in the upper echelon of coaches along with managers like Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Connie Mack. LaRussa has a multitude of achievements including: five Manager of the Year awards and three World Series titles. The departure of Larussa could effect if Albert Pujols decides to stay into the Gateway to the West. 
 

Pujols is going to be the most sought after free agent without a doubt- followed by Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes. Prince Albert clubbed his way to the top 10 of most hitting categories. Pujols is recognized as one of the best hitters of his generation and he is on his way to becoming a first ballot hall of famer. There is no question that Pujols will be granted the largest salary but where will it be? The Chicago Cubs are a prime destination for Pujols, he loves Chicago, the coaches and players, and they just brought in Theo Epstein who helped the Red Sox reverse the curse; Epstein has been known to overpay players. If LaRussa stayed in St. Louis Pujols might've stayed but now it is unknown.