Pujols, Cardinals set Wednesday deadline
The Cardinals' Albert Pujols has set a noon Wednesday deadline to sign a contract extension, or else he says he will become a free agent this winter. Credit: AP, 2009
The St. Louis Cardinals and representatives for Albert Pujols have agreed to a 24-hour extension to reach a new contract out of respect for Stan Musial.
The Cardinals Hall of Famer will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington Tuesday and general manager John Mozeliak said yesterday the club did not want to distract from Musial's special day. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and Mozeliak will accompany the 90-year-old Musial to Washington.
Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, originally set a deadline for Tuesday, the first workout day for pitchers and catchers in Jupiter, Fla. Mozeliak said the new deadline is Wednesday at noon.
Pujols is due to make $16 million this season in the final year of his contract, with $4 million of the total deferred without interest.
The 31-year-old Pujols is seeking a contract, perhaps as long as a decade in length, that would make him one of the highest paid players in the major leagues and allow him to retire as a Cardinal.
Even if a deal can't be reached by Wednesday, the Cardinals were hopeful of keeping the All-Star first baseman. Numerous times the last few seasons and again at last month's Winter Warmup fan festival in St. Louis, Pujols has expressed his desire to stay with the Cardinals.
Mozeliak would not characterize the tenor of the negotiations, sticking to an agreement about keeping the process private.
"Given the timing of everything we will remain quiet at this time," Mozeliak said. "I don't want to lead people on or characterize something one way or the other. Our approach has been pretty consistent since Day 1 and that's to allow this to be done in a confidential state. Given we are only 48 hours from the deadline I'll remain that way."
Marmol, Cubs reach deal
Carlos Marmol, once a catcher in the minors, has been rewarded for his expertise as a closer.
Marmol agreed yesterday to a three-year, $20-million contract with the Chicago Cubs and avoided salary arbitration. The Cubs announced the deal after their first workout for pitchers and catchers. Marmol will have a salary of $3.2 million this season, $7 million in 2012 and $9.8 million in 2013.
Marmol had 38 saves in 43 chances with a 2-3 record and 2.55 ERA last season. He had asked for $5.65 million in arbitration while the Cubs countered with an offer of $4.1 million.
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