"Maybe you saw the Albert Pujols graphic on ESPN, too.

If so, you surely would see the wisdom for the Phillies to trade for the St. Louis Cardinals' superstar.

The other two names on the graphic with Pujols were Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth.

With those two names, that's all you need to know. The graphic doesn't need to be explained.

Pujols is in such stratospheric company in his career that he is already listed with Gehrig and Ruth. You know the list isn't for eating hot dogs, either.

So, without even knowing what the statistics are to warrant an ESPN graphic, you should be prepared to say goodbye to Ryan Howard faster than a called third strike for the last out in the National League Championship Series.

The Phillies should trade Howard for Pujols.

Really, this swap is such a no-brainer even former Phillies general manager Ed Wade would make it in a Philly minute.

As you no doubt noticed, Howard wasn't listed with the Bambino and the Iron Horse on the exclusive ESPN graphic of the game's greats.

The only number Howard has that is better than Pujols is his age -- 29 compared to 31.

Even though the hitting numbers don't match between Howard and Pujols, the trade makes sense for the Cardinals, too.

Pujols rejected St. Louis' latest offer Wednesday and said he is done talking. He can become a free agent at the end of the season and sign anywhere.

So, instead of losing their slugging star for nothing, the Redbirds can bring home Howard, who is from St. Louis.

Howard, a former NL Most Valuable Player, whacked 31 homers last year with 108 RBIs and a .276 batting average, so he would leave Citizens Bank Park with attractive numbers to bring to the west bank of the Mississippi River.

He also has other enticing numbers: $145 million over the next six years.

Conversely, Pujols is believed to be asking for $30 million a season for 10 years. This is big, big money, especially considering in 1980 when Pujols was born, the entire tourism industry of his native country, the Dominican Republic, was just $173 million."