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Albert Pujols

Pujols Not Talking Extension Just Yet

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According to the Associated Press, via ESPN Deportes, Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols said Wednesday that he's not interested in signing a new long-term deal this offseason.  (The article is in Spanish, but we've translated some of the more telling quotes).

"I'm not desperate to sign a contract extension," Pujols said. "I still have a one year contract in 2010 with a club option for 2011. The rest I leave in God's hands."

Club chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and general manager John Mozeliak have expressed a desire to make Albert a "lifetime Cardinal" before he nears the free agent waters in 2012.  The 29-year-old first baseman hit .327/.443/.658 this season with 47 home runs and 135 RBI, and is likely to receive his third NL MVP award this winter.  Pujols left open the idea of signing an extension somewhere down the line, as long as the Cardinals stay competitive.

"Last week, the GM (Mozeliak) called me and told them to communicate with my lawyer (or agent)," he said, "but I repeat that money is not everything, it's better to have a rival team that can go into the postseason."

Odds & Ends: Pujols, Holliday, Mauer, Reyes

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Links for Tuesday…

Odds & Ends: Pujols, Holliday, Mauer, Reyes

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Links for Tuesday…

Rosenthal On Pujols, Holliday, DeRosa

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports takes a look at what lies in store for the St. Louis Cardinals this winter. A few of his thoughts:

  • Despite the Cardinals' desire to sign Albert Pujols to a lengthy extension this winter, a reliable source tells Rosenthal that there is virtually no chance a deal happens so quickly.
  • Rosenthal speculates that the Cardinals' chances of retaining Pujols past 2011 aren't great. The first baseman will likely use Alex Rodriguez's $275MM contract as a benchmark, and might want to sign with a club "that would operate with fewer financial restrictions than the Cardinals."
  • Rosenthal suggests attempting to re-sign Matt Holliday, but not exceeding about $90MM over five years to do it. The thinking is that the Cards likely can't afford to commit over $100MM to Holliday and over $200MM to Pujols.
  • An alternative to signing Holliday would be pursuing Jason Bay or bargain-hunting for this offseason's Bobby Abreu.
  • St. Louis should make re-signing Mark DeRosa a priority.

Want to share your own thoughts on the Cardinals' potential offseason moves? Jump into the MLBTR discussion.

Cardinals Rumors: Smoltz, Holliday, DeRo, Pujols

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sat down for an interview last week with Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt III.  Multiple topics were discussed, including a few major hot stove items.  Let's dive in…

  • The Cardinals have seen a revenue loss of "several million dollars" this season, despite fantastic attendance numbers.  DeWitt called the loss "a meaningful number," but said the club will still try to maintain a high payroll in future seasons.
  • DeWitt isn't sure what John Smoltz's plans are for 2010.  The 42-year-old right-hander has spoken glowingly about his time in St. Louis, but could opt to retire.
  • DeWitt and Co. plan to make a "very strong long-term offer" to Matt Holliday before he hits the open market this winter.  The Cardinals are optimistic about being able to lock him up.  "He strikes me as someone who's not looking for the last dollar," DeWitt told Strauss. "He's looking to be highly compensated but in a place where he can live, raise a family and be in a very competitive baseball environment."
  • Mark DeRosa is "the type of player" the Cardinals would like to keep "if possible."  If not, David Freese could open the 2010 season as St. Louis' starting third baseman.
  • DeWitt believes this winter is "the ideal time to ensure Albert [Pujols] finishes his career as a Cardinal," even though the slugger still has two years remaining on his current deal.

It should be an intriguing, if not busy, offseason in St. Louis.  Beyond the players listed above, the Cardinals also face free agency with right-hander Joel Pineiro, backup catcher Jason LaRue, third baseman Troy Glaus, outfielder Rick Ankiel and right-hander Todd Wellemeyer.  It's probably safe to assume that Pineiro, Glaus and Wellemeyer won't be back.  Ankiel might also be on his way out.

Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Pujols, Upton, Astros, Bradley

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FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up, so let's see what he has for us…

  • Albert Pujols is in no rush to sign a contract extension. A source "with knowledge of his thinking" tells Rosenthal that the chances of Pujols agreeing to an extension this winter are "slim and none."
  • The reason is that Pujols wants to assess the Cardinals' long-term outlook before deciding on his future. Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, and Tony LaRussa are all unsigned beyond this season.
  • Tampa Bay figures to explore the market for B.J. Upton this offseason. The Rays would be selling low, but they have needs behind the plate and in the bullpen, and it's possible a team could offer a package that would satisfy those needs. If they don't get an offer to their liking, Tampa will simply hold onto him.
  • The Astros managing job might be Jim Fregosi's to lose, but don't be surprised if Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar "gains momentum." Even though he's relatively inexperienced, Bogar is a former 'Stro who also managed in their minor league system, as well as in Cleveland's. Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio, and Jeff Bagwell all think highly of him.
  • Teams have already called the Cubs about Milton Bradley. The Giants, Padres, Rangers, Rays, and Mets are among the clubs with possible interest. The Cubs are confident they can deal Bradley without paying the overwhelming majority of the $21MM still owed to him over the next two years. They could either trade Bradley's bad contract for another bad contract, or use the old sliding scale of "the more money we pay, the better the players we get in return."

Odds & Ends: Halladay, Pujols, Mateo, Benitez

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Here's a few links to check out as Roy Halladay makes what might be his final start in Toronto as a member of the home team…

  • MLB.com's Jordan Bastian spoke to Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston about Halladay, and what the offseason might hold for him. "If you didn't [have a shot at the playoffs in '10], I think you would maybe think about ''Maybe it is time to move him.'" He also added "I can't make those decisions. They're going to do what's right for the club and certainly Doc's got a little bit of say-so."
  • Rob Neyer of ESPN suggests that Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt wait a year before signing Albert Pujols to an extension because Pujols' value will never be higher than it is right now. What to do you guys think, any chance Pujols actually increases his value next season?
  • Yoel Adames of ESPN Deportes has some quotes from Edgar Mercedes, agent for Wagner Mateo, about a possible lawsuit against the Cardinals. St. Louis voided Mateo's $3.1MM contract earlier this week after finding "pre-existing injuries and physical defects."
  • Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that the "hottest rumor among baseball scouts is that Pat Gillick will be returning to Toronto to become president of the club, but not GM."
  • The Astros released Armando Benitez and the Braves released John Halama, according to this week's edition of minor league transactions, courtesy of Baseball America.

Heyman On Pujols, Holliday, Acta, Cubs

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The Cardinals want to lock up Albert Pujols, but Jon Heyman of SI.com wonders if they can keep him and Matt Holliday. One GM says there's "no chance" the team can keep the two stars, despite owner Bill DeWitt's goal to "lock up both of them." Here are more details on the Cardinals' superstars, along with the rest of Heyman's rumors:

  • Heyman says it's illogical to expect Pujols to demand anything less than $30MM per season.
  • Holliday is "thought to be interested" in a deal comparable to Mark Teixeira's $180MM pact. No doubt Holliday would have interest in that kind of deal, but would any team consider it? (I doubt it.)
  • There are many reasons it makes sense for the Cards to try to lock up Holliday and Pujols. As Heyman says, such an attempt would show manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and the fan base that the team wants to win at all costs.
  • Heyman hears that the Astros will interview former Nats manager Manny Acta for their managerial opening.
  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro is facing pressure to fire manager Eric Wedge, especially now that the club has lost 11 straight.
  • Not surprisingly, two GMs consider Alfonso Soriano untradeable. He has $90MM remaining on his contract.
  • The Cubs would have to eat a "decent chunk" of Carlos Zambrano's contract if they decide to trade him. A trade doesn't seem likely, however.
  • If the Cubs deal Milton Bradley, Heyman considers the Padres a logical fit.
  • Execs around the league expect Roy Halladay to be on the trade market again this winter.

Cardinals To Discuss Extension With Pujols

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The St. Louis Cardinals will attempt to lock up slugger Albert Pujols long-term during the offseason, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com, via Twitter. Heyman tweets that Cards owner Bill DeWitt informed him that St. Louis will try to sign Pujols to an extension past 2011.

The 29-year-old first baseman has been the best hitter on the planet this decade, batting .334/.427/.629 since being called up to the majors in 2001. In 2009, he has posted a .330/.447/.676 line with 47 homers, and is the favorite to repeat as the NL's Most Valuable Player.

Pujols is making $16MM this season, the sixth year of a seven-year, $100MM deal, which includes a $16MM club option for 2011. Given his incredible production over the course of the deal, he'll undoubtedly be in line for another raise. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak already announced that the team doesn't intend to negotiate with its potential free agents such as Matt Holliday, Mark DeRosa, and Joel Pineiro until season's end. Attempting to retain those players, in addition to inking Pujols to a triple-digit extension, could mean a busy and expensive winter in St. Louis.

Odds & Ends: Royals, Zambrano, Pujols

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Time for some afternoon links…

  • Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star would like to hear Royals GM Dayton Moore admit he was wrong to think his team could contend this year.
  • Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports argues that Carlos Zambrano is simply not an $18MM pitcher anymore, let alone a pitcher clubs would give up worthwhile players to acquire. No argument from me on that one.
  • Tom Verducci of SI.com points out that we won't know the team of the decade until the post-season ends. That doesn't stop him from naming his player of the decade: Albert Pujols.
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