JUPITER, Fla. -- It didn't take long for Tony La Russa's claim that the players' union is influencing contract talks with Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols to reach the ears of Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Mike Weiner.
Weiner strongly challenged La Russa's assertion late Tuesday morning, saying that neither he nor anyone from the union has been in contact with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, during recent talks.
"I have a lot of respect for Tony but it's just completely wrong that there has been pressure applied here," said Weiner, who had already read La Russa's comments. "We have not had any conversation with Albert, Danny or any of his representatives. Albert understands his alternatives. He's represented by an experienced agent. If they want our input, we are available to them. But I know that Albert is going to make an informed decision."
Weiner added that any perception that the MLBPA strong-arms its members during high-profile talks is incorrect and that the union serves an advisory role only when approached by a player or his representation.
La Russa asserted that the union is about making a player's decision primarily about money.
Asked about any evidence he may have about union involvement in Pujols' negotiations, La Russa said that he had none but characterized his sense as "a guaranteed assumption."
"[It's] not arm-twisting. It's dropping an anvil on your back through the roof of your house," La Russa said.
Weiner acknowledged speaking to Lozano several times in recent weeks about matters other than the Pujols talks. Lozano also represents Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young, who recently requested a trade after being moved off third base to accommodate free agent acquisition Adrian Beltre.
The Cardinals face pressure to make Pujols the game's highest-paid player, besting New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez' 10-year, $275-million deal.
"We act collectively as a union," Weiner explained. "The players always have tried to create a Basic Agreement and collective bargaining rules so that they can make individual choices. Then we respect those choices. We want a market where players have the full opportunity to make those calls. It doesn't really matter if Alex Rodriguez or Albert Pujols is viewed as the game's highest-paid player. What matters is that the Basic Agreement isn't getting in the way of that."
Tuesday's exchange took place on the eve of a deadline imposed on talks by Lozano.
Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt, Jr. and general manager John Mozeliak are expected to address the situation shortly after Wednesday's 11 a.m. CST deadline passes. Pujols may not arrive in camp until Thursday.
In an interesting twist of timing, Jupiter represents Weiner's first stop on his annual tour of Grapefruit League training sites. He is due to appear at Roger Dean Stadium on Monday.
"At that point," Weiner said, "I may pull Albert aside and get an update from him."
