Superstar Albert Pujols and the Cardinals are so far apart in negotiations that people familiar with the talks say there is virtually no chance for a deal before the three-time NL MVP reports to spring camp Feb. 16.

Pujols, who will be a free-agent at season's end, has set his reporting date as the deadline for a contract to be done with the Cardinals, but sources indicate that the sides are far apart across the board, meaning on term as well as dollars. Pujols has made it clear talks will cease when he reports, only to be resumed after the season.

As the established best player in the game, Pujols is said to have been seeking a contract at least comparable to Alex Rodriguez's 10-year, $275 million deal, and very likely more than that. People familiar with the talks told SI.com last month that the Cardinals were said to believe a deal for six years, or perhaps seven at the outset, was more reasonable for Pujols, who's 31 years old.

Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt told SI.com in November that he thought the Yankees must regret A-Rod's deal, indicating it wasn't something he wanted to use as a comp for Pujols.

While Pujols' market might possibly be impacted somewhat by the Yankees and Red Sox already possessing star first baseman in Mark Teixeira and Adrian Gonzalez, there should be no shortage of suitors for a player who has begun his career similarly to the way Joe DiMaggio began his, only with more power.

One competing executive said he wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs, the Cardinals' chief rival, made a big play for Pujols. The Cubs have Carlos Peña on a one-year deal and would have a spot for Pujols next offseason.

The Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Nationals and Orioles are among other possibilities should Pujols become a free agent. The Yankees and Red Sox can never be ruled out, but their positional need isn't there for those two teams, assuming Boston keeps Gonzalez long term, as expected.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I am not a legal expert, how many times do I have to say it?

Laurence Holmes is a fucking weirdo, a nerd in denial, and a wannabe. Not a very good radio host either.

cards are smart not to sign albert to an arod like deal...arod has not come close to living up to his contract..and pujols, like
arod is clearly taking ped's.. if a test comes available for hgh and other ped's..pujols numbers will drop drastically .

Heyman writes:
Baseball higher-ups seem to believe that Albert Pujols will wind up re-signing with St. Louis. Very little has come out about those talks since SI.com reported a few weeks ago that the sides were as much as $100 million apart, or even more, with Pujols looking for an A-Rod type deal and the Cardinals believed to be offering at least a bit under $200 million, at least at the time. But baseball executives don't see a divorce happening. If it did, one competing exec opined that the Cubs may be "best positioned'' to make a run at Pujols. "They may want to make a splash,'' surmised the exec. Ah, yes, that would be quite a splash.


Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/02/02/1575827/s ... z1DZ594bRn

Same with all of baseball. He's going to be a Cub. Hendry is going to offer 10 years/ 210 million no trade.

Laurence Holmes is a fucking weirdo, a nerd in denial, and a wannabe. Not a very good radio host either.

Same with all of baseball. He's going to be a Cub. Hendry is going to offer 10 years/ 210 million no trade.

rpb is wrong. Phil McCracken is useful.

RPB is right. You suck.

Pujols is my favorite player in baseball but I wouldn't want the Cubs involved in any talks with him. He's on the wrong side of 30 and wants too many years.
I'd rather see the Cubs make an offer to the fat vegan up in Milwaukee

rpb is wrong. Phil McCracken is useful.

RPB is right. You suck.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

Once in a while I agree with Terry Boers, & this is one of those times. The Cardinals should tell Pujols to hit the road. Let some other fool give him a 10 year $300 Million contract. That's just foolish spending, even for a player of Pujols caliber. I honestly cant believe that Hendry would be interested in Pujols after his experience with Soriano, Fukedome, & others. I also cant believe that Ricketts will let Hendry even entertain signing Albert.

Once in a while I agree with Terry Boers, & this is one of those times. The Cardinals should tell Pujols to hit the road. Let some other fool give him a 10 year $300 Million contract. That's just foolish spending, even for a player of Pujols caliber. I honestly cant believe that Hendry would be interested in Pujols after his experience with Soriano, Fukedome, & others. I also cant believe that Ricketts will let Hendry even entertain signing Albert.

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

I can understand not wanting to give him that much money for that long...yeah, you have to say no to that...

...but to make him an offer that doesn't put him in the top 5 paid players...fucking a, are you trying to piss the guy off?

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

He's 31. 8 years, 206 million would make him the highest paid player in baseball. He'll be 39 and under indictment at that time. Take the money and run.

I'm confused...the article I read today said the deal they offered him would have put him in the top 10 for salary but not in the top 5...wonder if they meant per year or overall...

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

I would rather have Pujols. I understand the numbers Prince puts up. However, I'm not giving a 310 lb. vegan a ten year deal. Not interested.

I wouldn't give either one of them a 10 year deal. I was just saying I can understand both teams dilemmas even though I know both fan bases don't.

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

He's 31. 8 years, 206 million would make him the highest paid player in baseball. He'll be 39 and under indictment at that time. Take the money and run.

Black Terry, I agree. I just wonder if Pujols doesn't feel like he can win another championship there? Also, I truly believe he feels like he gave the Cardinals a significant discount on the previous contract, and when you look at salaries he did. I know what you are saying about the money, but I can see his side of the story. And yes, I will take all financial donations also.

I would cover for SHARK, Drop In, Dave in Champaign, my Mom, and Urlacher's Missing Neck. After that, the list gets pretty thin. There are a few people about whom I would definitely fabricate charges.

The egos on these fucking guys just kill me. Pujols has made almost 90 million fucking dollars so far in his career and is going to turn his nose up at another 200 million or so the Cardinals are offering because its not enough? Dude, you can fuck right off, guys like you are as much of a blight on the game than Pete Rose ever will be. Heres hoping a fastball breaks your wrist this year you fuckbag.