Who is not? They never go after any big names, just reclamation projects. The Cardinals have always been cheap. Has he not been paying attention?
Modified to add:
Albert complains a lot but he really likes it here. Besides, even DeWitt will not let his meal ticket get away.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txcardinalspujols&prov=st&type=lgnsPujols wants to end career with Cardinals
1 hour, 47 minutes ago
JUPITER, FLORIDA (TICKER) —The St. Louis Cardinals have not returned to the postseason since their improbable championship run in 2006.
But that has not discouraged superstar Albert Pujols, who claimed he wants to end his career in St. Louis.
After arriving at the Cardinals’ spring training facility, Pujols addressed the media Sunday night, discussing a variety of topics such as his contract, the team’s future and baseball’s ongoing steroids scandal.
Pujols, 29, has two years and a team option remaining on the seven-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Cardinals in 2004. Barring a major injury, the Cardinals almost certainly will exercise their $16 million option on Pujols for 2011.
When asked if he would pursue free agency following the 2011 season, Pujols insisted he wanted to remain with the Cardinals.
“Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course, because that city has opened the door to me and my family like no other city is ever going to do,†the first baseman said. “I don’t want to go to any other city. If that time comes I’m pretty sure wherever I go, they are going to do the same way - hopefully open the doors. But I don’t think it’s going to be anything compared to St. Louis.â€
Pujols will be 32 years old entering the 2012 season and would receive lucrative contract offers if he tests free agency. But the two-time National League MVP claimed that winning is his top priority.
“People from other teams want to play in St. Louis and they’re jealous that we’re in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable,†Pujols said. “So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 million or $4 more million a year?
“It’s not about the money. I already got my money. It’s about winning and that’s it. It’s about accomplishing my goal, and my goal is to try to win. If this organization shifts the other way, then I have to go the other way.â€
Since their magical 2006 season when they won the World Series after posting an 82-79 record, the Cardinals have missed the playoffs each of the last two years, going a combined 164-160 over that stretch.
Although they have been plagued by multiple injuries over the last two seasons, the Cardinals have received outstanding production from Pujols, a .334 career hitter who has belted at least 32 home runs in each of his eight years with St. Louis.
Despite battling a chronic elbow injury throughout the 2008 campaign, Pujols delivered one of his finest seasons, batting .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBI en route to being named the NL MVP.
St. Louis, which went a surprising 86-76 last year, has been relatively inactive this offseason. But Pujols is satisfied with the direction of the organization.
“It’s about being in a place to win and being in a position to win,†the seven-time All-Star said. “If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team every year like they have, I’m going to try to work everything out to stay in this town.
“But if they’re not on the same page of bringing championship caliber to play every year, then it’s time for me to go somewhere else.â€
Pujols also touched on the issue of steroids drugs in baseball - a topic that resurfaced last week when Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancers from 2001-03 as a member of the Texas Rangers.
According to Sports Illustrated, Rodriguez was named on a list of 104 players who tested positive for banned substances in 2003.
“Whatever they want to do with that list, that’s their problem,†Pujols said. “But I don’t want to sit here and talk about steroids. Every time I try to talk about it, it seems people want to take it a different way and say, like in the past, ‘He’s defending Barry Bonds because he’s taking (performance-enhancing drugs), too.’
“I don’t want to bring that controversy into the clubhouse. That’s not me. I just don’t think it’s fair when we talk about something like that and people try to throw me in the deep hole too because I say what I feel.â€
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