NO DEAL!!! UPDATED: Albert Pujols to Cease Contract Talks for 2011 Season, Rejects Latest Contract Proposal

The St. Louis Cardinals and slugger Albert Pujols will head into the 2011 season without a contract for future years. The two sides were unable to work out a contract extension by Wednesday's deadline set by the first baseman. The team confirmed it made a long-term offer, but said they couldn't reach a deal. The three-time NL MVP has said he won't get involved in contract talks once he reports to Spring Training. He is expected in camp tomorrow. The 31-year-old is believed to be seeking a deal worth more than the ten-year, 275-million-dollar pact Alex Rodriguez has with the New York Yankees. Last season, "Prince Albert" hit .312 with 42 home runs and 118 RBI.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa says Major League Baseball's Players' Association is putting pressure on first baseman Albert Pujols to hold out for a record-setting contract. La Russa spoke Tuesday at the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida. La Russa said he feels Pujols' stature as the best player in the game is creating pressure from the union to raise the salary bar for others, and that doens't allow him to consider factors outside of money.

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Pujols and Cardinals set deadline for contract negotiations

Feb 14, 2011

St. Louis (KSDK) - Sources tell NEWSCHANNEL 5's Frank Cusumano that Cardinals management and Albert Pujols have agreed to make no announcements involving the slugger's future with the team until after Stan Musial receives the Medal of Freedom Tuesday.
The deadline to reach an agreement has now been extended to 11:00am Central Time Wednesday. Pujols had been expected to break-off negotiations Tuesday if no agreement had been reached.  He said he will not negotiate his contract once he arrives at Spring Training.
Both sides have agreed they don't want to take anything away from Stan Musial's big day Tuesday at the White House. The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor a civilian can receive.
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Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols has rejected a contract proposal from the team's management, and, barring an unexpected turnaround, will announce Tuesday he will cease contract talks for the season, a person close to Pujols has told USA Today.
The Post-Dispatch is putting together a detailed story and will post it online as soon as possible.
Pujols, 31, is seeking a 10-year contract, according to the person who requested anonymity because of the sensitive state of the negotiations. He is eligible for free agency after this season.


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