Albert Pujols is clearly a long way off from his glory days. The former MVP was an institution in St. Louis before he was poached away by the Los Angeles Angels.

But it appears as though The Machine could be headed back to where it all began. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported a scoop that Albert Pujols is indeed in talks with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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The 41-year-old Pujols' 11 legendary seasons with the Cardinals. He made nine All-Star teams, won six Silver Slugger awards, and nabbed two Gold Glove awards, in what was one of the greatest decade-long stretches in MLB history. Pujols famously won three National League MVP trophies, one in 2005 and back-to-back in 2008 and 2009. But his contributions to the franchise's two World Series wins in 2006 and 2011 are definitely the most memorable.

Pujols signed the massive 10-year, $240 million deal with the Angels thereafter. No matter how great he was, it was certainly a ton of money to give up for a guy on the wrong side of thirty. Pujols never truly found his footing in LA, making just one All-Star team while slowly losing the bat speed that made him so dangerous at the plate in St. Louis.

While the reunion could be a special one for the Cardinals, it might just be ceremonial at best. Pujols has struggled mightily at the plate this season. He was mired in a brutal 7 for 43 slump right before he was released, and is already playing as the oldest player in the MLB.