I plan on making this a pretty short blog post. Basically, I wanted to post this because I’m sick of hearing ESPN commentators and other baseball “experts” going on and on about how “replacing Albert Pujols” in the Cardinals lineup is going to be a “team effort.” Watching a game last week I recall hearing one say something to the effect of everyone in the lineup will have to step up and play better in order to replace his bat, which, of course, you can’t replace, blah blah blah…

Wow. Makes you wonder if any of these guys ever actually check statistics, doesn’t it? How about looking at last year’s offensive numbers for one Carlos Beltran, guys?

In 142 games last year for the Mets & Giants, Beltran hit .300, had 22 home runs, 84 RBIs, and had an OPS of .910. Pujols, in 147 games, hit .299, had 37 homers, 99 RBIs, and had an OPS of .906. True, Beltran’s HR and RBI totals were considerably less than Albert’s, but he did play in five fewer games and with two different teams in a year where he was coming back from injury. As long as this guy stays healthy, I can see him having another year in which he puts up similar (if not better) numbers.

Pujols, on the other hand? Well, he’s already off to a slow start, just like last year. Yes, his numbers will definitely improve over the course of the season, but let’s not forget that this guy’s numbers have been in a steady decline over the past three seasons. At the rate of his decline, one could project Albert in 2012 at hitting in the .280s, having about 30 home runs, 90 RBIs, and with an OPS of well below .900. Those are still decent offensive numbers, of course, but they’re just not as astronomical as we’re used to seeing from him, especially at his peak around 2007 or 2008, and they’re numbers that could easily be equaled by one healthy Carlos Beltran batting in a lineup with protection from guys like Berkman and Freese.

I just don’t think the Cardinals will miss Albert’s bat as much as these sportswriters think they will.