Albert Pujols last year was the fourth-highest-paid employee of any St. Louis company, according to a Post-Dispatch review of publicly available data. But he could rocket to the top spot if he gets the deal he wants from the Cardinals in ongoing contract negotiations.
David Farr
$24.8 million
chief executive
Emerson
Farr is region's highest-paid business leader, but $16 million of his 2010 earnings will come in stock awards set to pay out in 2014.
Matt Holliday
$17 million
outfielder
St. Louis Cardinals
After the 2009 season, the Redbirds signed Holliday to a seven-year deal worth $120 million, the team's biggest contract ever.
Ahmad Chatila
$16.8 million
chief executive
MEMC
Chatila started at MEMC in 2009, the most recent year figures available, and received $14.5 million in a one-time award of stock options.
Albert Pujols
$16 million
first baseman
St. Louis Cardinals
Some of Pujols' paycheck last year was deferred, but he's due another $16 million this season, the final one in his seven-year contract. He also earned an estimated $8 million in endorsements from sponsors, according to Bloomberg Business Week.
Chris Carpenter
$14.5 million
pitcher
St. Louis Cardinals
Carpenter is nearing the end of a five-year, $64 million deal. The team has the option to extend his contract in 2012 for $15 million.
Hugh Grant
$13.2 million
chief executive
Monsanto Corp.
Grant's $1.4 million annual salary was frozen last year, but stock options and a one-time stock award of $5.6 million boosted his pay considerably.
Sam Bradford
$13 million
quarterback
St. Louis Rams
The Rams' rookie signal-caller just finished the first season of his six-year, $78 million contract. If he meets certain incentives, he could earn up to $86 million.
Sources: Securities and Exchange Commission, ESPN, staff research.
