Pujols sets Spring Training contract deadline

[JoshRedcay]

Albert Pujols has no interest in continuing contract negotiations once Spring Training starts, general manager John Mozeliak told reporters on Saturday.

Mozeliak said that he had been told by Danny Lozano, Pujols' agent, that there is a deadline for getting a new deal done -- and that it is not Opening Day, but the beginning of Spring Training. Cardinals infielders and outfielders report to Jupiter, Fla., on Feb. 18.

Looks like Pujols is looking to get this done before Spring Training, and I'm not sure if the Cards will. It would be interesting to see Pujols in free agency, but I can't imagine the Cardinals would do that without either trading him or signing him to a new deal.

[CoreyR]

If this deal doesn't get done by the deadline, I honestly see Pujols walking and testing the market. You all know where it will go from there. The Yankees will offer him a seven-year deal worth over $260M.

[diehardbrewgirl]

The Cardinals would be out of their freaking mind if they didn't resign Pujols. That guy is the heart of the team and such a powerhouse!

[JoshRedcay]

The Cardinals would be out of their freaking mind if they didn't resign Pujols. That guy is the heart of the team and such a powerhouse!

I agree, I can't even imagine Pujols in another uniform. The Cardinals would drop off a good bit in the Central.

[RickD]

If this deal doesn't get done by the deadline, I honestly see Pujols walking and testing the market. You all know where it will go from there. The Yankees will offer him a seven-year deal worth over $260M.

They WOULD offer the contract though I am not sure where they would stick him. Wait...Posada will be gone...Jeter to DH, Teixeira to 3rd, A-Rod to SS and then we take Pujols...yeah I like that.

The Cardinals would be out of their freaking mind if they didn't resign Pujols. That guy is the heart of the team and such a powerhouse!

True Dat! They need to get this done ASAP.

[CoreyR]

They WOULD offer the contract though I am not sure where they would stick him.

They don't think about that when a superstar becomes available on the market. They do whatever it takes to acquire that player and then they figure out where to put him. Ha, at least that is what it seems like to me.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

They WOULD offer the contract though I am not sure where they would stick him. Wait...Posada will be gone...Jeter to DH, Teixeira to 3rd, A-Rod to SS and then we take Pujols...yeah I like that.

I was thinking the same. But your option is a good one. But then the Yankees will rely on the long ball too much again. I rather see some more speed (not the drug) added to the line up.

[Old Sweater]

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/200...115041890.html

Albert Pujols 1b
7 years/$100M (2004-10), plus 2011 club option

7 years/$100M (2004-10), plus 2011 club option

signed extension with St. Louis 2/19/04 (avoided arbitration, $10.5M-$7M)
04:$7M, 05:$11M, 06:$14M, 07:$15M, 08:$16M, 09:$16M, 10:$16M, 11:$16M club option ($5M buyout)
if option is not exercised, $4M of $5M buyout is deferred without interest
complete no-trade clause for 2004-2006, with a limited no-trade clause for 2007 through end of deal
$3M/year (2007-11) deferred without interest, to be paid in 10 installments of $1.2M from 2020 to 2029, reducing present-day value at signing to $90,276,957
award bonuses: $50,000 each for Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, All Star ($25,000 AS selection); $0.1M for LCS MVP; $0.15M for WS MVP; $0.2M for MVP ($0.1M for 2nd in vote, $50,000 for 3rd)
perks: right to purchase 4 season tickets and luxury box at stadium each year
Pujols to make 4 trips to Dominican Republic as club representative
St. Louis exercised $16M 2011 option 10/6/10

I think the Cardinals have Pujols for the 2011 season. Pujols just don't want to hash over contract talks when ST starts. In other words he is sick and tired of the media sticking a mic in his face repeating the same question over and over.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I have read here several times how classy he is.
Today I have read on several sites that he has signed autographs for $175 each at the Cardinals Winter Warmup. I don't know what will happen with that money. If he puts it in his foundation, I can live with that. But when he doesn't, I think it is an outrage. The guy is making 20 million bucks a year. Even when he puts the money in his foundation, I think that $175 is way too much to ask. That is hardly affordable for the common man.

[Mr. Baseball]

*yawn*

I'm sorry, but I just don't see this as big news. The odds of Albert Pujols ever walking away from Busch Stadium are about as likely as a meteor falling on top of my head right now (looks up ^.^)..He means so much to the organization and it's fans. Imagine what a big hit the ticket sales would take if they didn't resign him. Hell, they'd make the Marlins look good. Fans can debate this all they want, but in the end, Albert's due for a seven-year deal with big bucks. He's a cardinal for life, and anyone who says otherwise should be thrown in a straight jacket. Are we looking at our next 30-million dollar man? I don't like to predict, but if I had too, I'd say his contract will fall a couple million short. However, with the MVP award bonuses the franchise is bound to offer him, he could more than likely end up making $30 million annually.