Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals were unable to reach a new contract agreement as the deadline passed with no new deal, making it likely the three-time MVP will test the market after the season. Is it possible the Chicago Cubs are licking their chops and preparing for Pujols?
A source close to the negotiations told ESPN’s Karl Ravech “the biggest issue is not the number of years, but the amount of money the Cardinals offered. St. Louis' offer would place Pujols in baseball’s top 10 in salary, but not in the top five in average annual salary.” the source said.
“We felt very good about the offer we made,” St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said, but Pujols’s agent stated “While both parties were hopeful that an agreement could be reached, a difference of opinion in determining Albert’s value simply could not be resolved.”
While this does not mean that Albert is a goner, it delays and adds to the speculation that a large market team like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and even Chicago Cubs could be preparing a huge offer for the former MVP.
St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday that he believes Pujols was feeling pressure from the union to “set the bar” with his next deal, and the Cubs are one of those teams that could offer A-Rod-type money.
After this season, Carlos Pena, Carlos Silva, Aramis Ramirez and Kosuke Fukudome could rid the Cubs of $40 million.
While many believe Albert Pujols would not go to the “hated” rival of the St. Louis Cardinals, money talks, and Pujols is looking for tons of it.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments