Yadier Molina made it clear 2022 is his final season. It’s almost a guarantee the same can be said for pitcher Adam Wainwright.

With the universal designated hitter rule coming to the National League, it only makes sense to bring back one more Cardinal legend… Albert Pujols.

Now, I get it: Pujols is 42 and hasn’t exactly been an above-average hitter in six years. But at 679 career homers, it’s pretty clear Pujols wants an outside shot at reaching 700, which makes the rumors regarding the teams interested in even more interesting.

Per multiple sources, there are two teams on the radar for signing Pujols: the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Seattle Mariners. Each team has their pros and cons in regards to adding the future Hall-of-Famer to their roster, but for the sake of the Cardinals, it would be fitting on so many levels.

To see three legends of the game, all of whom won the 2006 and 2011 World Series in St. Louis, go off into the sunset together at the end of the 2022 season, would be an emotional roller coaster.

Pujols is just coming off of a stint with the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana side Leones del Escogido after they acquired him from the Gigantes del Cibao via a trade. He played in 16 games in the winter ball season, where he wound up hitting .246. Per sources, ahead of the MLB lockout noted that Pujols’ decision to join the Leones del Escogido signaled that he “for sure” would like to return for the 2022 campaign, which would be his 22nd season in the majors, one of the most storied careers in baseball history.

And it only makes sense for him to become the designated hitter for the Cardinals next season. Plenty of at-bats, no reason to be on the field, and the crowd will be on their feet every time.