JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak arrived at the team's spring training headquarters early Saturday afternoon, set up his office, then emerged several hours later to offer little about ongoing negotiations about a possible contract extension for first baseman Albert Pujols.
Citing the 'sensitive" status of talks as deadline for a resolution approaches, Mozeliak declined to say whether the team had extended a formal offer to Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano.
Mozeliak added that the club would likely decline any public comment about talks through at least Tuesday.
The Cardinals had not tendered an offer as of early last week but, according to a source familiar with talks, were expected to present a bid closer to the Feb. 15 deadline set last month by Lozano. Pujols is adamant about shutting down talks once he walks into camp. The three-time NL MVP is expected to report Wednesday morning.
Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. has arrived daily at Roger Dean Stadium during the past week and typically remained into the evening. DeWitt likewise has declined comment on the talks' momentum.
Though the Cardinals have declined to discuss their negotiating stance, the club remains leery of guaranteeing more than seven years to Pujols, who will turn 32 before an extension would go into effect. He will earn $16 million this season as the final installment of an eight-year, $111 million deal negotiated in February 2004.
Lozano, who is not scheduled to travel to south Florida, could not be reached for comment Saturday.
The Cardinals plan to address the negotiations Wednesday, regardless of whether an extension is reached. A source familiar with Team Pujols indicated last week that the Cardinals' first baseman will likely sidestep contract-related questions upon arriving at camp, where a crush of local and national media is expected to greet him. Ironically, Pujols spoke at length two years ago about his contract situation upon arriving at camp. Last year Pujols downplayed the situation, saying, "When they're ready, we're ready."
While both parties continue to maintain a virtual media blackout regarding the issue, Baltimore Orioles general manager Andy MacPhail weighed in on Pujols' potential free agency Thursday.
Appearing at a Baltimore School of Law sports symposium, MacPhail questioned the market that may present itself for Pujols should he indeed reach free agency after this season.
"There is this assumption that this guy got (a huge number) and this guy got (an even bigger number) and Albert Pujols has to get (more)," MacPhail said, as reported by The Baltimore Sun. "Well, what if there are no bidders? What if the music stops and there are no chairs?
"Let's say Pujols signs with St. Louis. Where does Prince Fielder go? Do you want to make that bet on Prince Fielder at $20 million per as opposed to (Mark) Teixeira?
"I'll be honest with you, the likelihood of us stepping out to the degree that (Pujols) is looking at, for any one player, is remote at best. I read that he's looking for $30 million a year, and I just can't see how that's going to happen."
