DALLAS — The Los Angeles Angels accomplished in less than two days what the Cardinals failed to transact in two years by signing three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols on Thursday to a contract that will run through the remainder of a Hall-of-Fame career.
Late entries to the process, the Angels stunned Major League Baseball's winter meetings by overwhelming the Cardinals and at least two other suitors with a 10-year, $254 million bid free of deferred money and packed with enough milestone incentives to make the deal worth upwards of $280 million.
The Angels' pursuit contrasted the Cardinals' methodical, conservative tact that saw them follow up last February's failed talks about a contract extension with an offer that actually featured a lower average annual value.
The Angels add a talent that general manager Jerry Dipoto called "the most consistent offensive player of his generation." The Cardinals lose an iconic figure whose value began with a career .328 average, 445 home runs and 1,329 RBIs that make him Hall of Fame-worthy after only 11 major-league seasons.
What general manager John Mozeliak called "a disappointing day" culminated two years of sluggish talks about how to make Pujols what Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. frequently termed "a Cardinal for life." Instead, Mozeliak appeared by himself at a hastily arranged afternoon press conference at Busch Stadium to discuss a day that many Cardinal fans believed would never arrive.
"I think we did everything we could," Mozeliak said.
The Angels sealed the deal with an all-in move that allowed the Cardinals no response.
"Everybody that was really close to the process knew we were stretching and putting ourselves in a situation that was becoming a little uncomfortable, but one in which we thought we were doing what was worth it," Mozeliak said.
The Cardinals' reopened talks earlier this month with a five-year, $130 million bid that eventually grew to 10 years guaranteed for $210 million but included significant deferred money, according to sources familiar with the process. What had become a frustration between Pujols and the Cardinals officially concluded early Thursday morning when his agent, Dan Lozano, notified Mozeliak of his client's decision.
"I don't think there's another person you can add who changes the complexion of a complete lineup like he does," said Angels center fielder Vernon Wells, who was at the Hilton Anatole when the announcement was made.
Pujols leaves the Cardinals following his first season in which he failed to reach 100 RBIs or maintain a .300 average. His decline in numbers still left him among league leaders in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs and runs scored.
"If we want to call 'decline' going from superhuman to great," Dipoto said during a morning press conference. "I don't think we've seen the last great days of Albert Pujols, or we wouldn't be sitting here today."
The deal includes full no-trade protection.
Mozeliak said he spoke with Pujols after he made his decision and wished him well. The Angels have scheduled an introductory press conference at Angels Stadium for 1:30 p.m. Saturday (St. Louis time). Pujols and Lozano have postponed making any comment until then.
Lozano notified Mozeliak of his client's decision early Thursday morning. Rather than adhere to his scheduled late morning departure, Mozeliak skipped Thursday's Rule 5 draft and left the headquarters hotel without notifying much of his staff.
DeWitt issued a statement at about the same time the Angels announced the signing. The Cardinals chairman expressed disappointment over the outcome, referred to Pujols as "a great champion" and thanked him for his contributions.
"I have the highest regard for Albert both personally and professionally, and appreciate his direct involvement in this process," DeWitt's statement said. "I would like our fans to know that we tried our best to make Albert a lifetime Cardinal but unfortunately we were unable to make it happen."
The Cardinals apparently modified their proposal numerous times in the last week but struggled to match the same average annual value they offered last January. That proposal incorporated 2011 as the first installment of a nine-year, $198 million extension.
Pujols' embrace of the Angels may have stunned many but it represented an almost predictable ending to a two-year process that began shortly after the club signed free agent left fielder Matt Holliday to a franchise record $120 million contract in January 2010. Anticipated talks about an extension for Pujols failed to materialize following his third MVP season, allowing market forces to further complicate the process.
Subsequent signings of Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and free agent left fielder Carl Crawford hardened the market and set the stage for Pujols agreeing Thursday to the second-most lucrative deal in the game's history.
Pujols' eight-year, $111 million extension expired at the end of the Cardinals' second championship run in six seasons, leaving some to believe that the team's competitiveness and positive outlook might factor in upcoming negotiations. Until shortly after Holliday's signing Pujols publicly professed a willingness to take a "discount" to remain with the organization that selected him in the 13th round of the 1999 amateur draft and helped his development into the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year. But neither Pujols nor Lozano ever defined what such a discount would be based upon, and the notion quickly faded after the Phillies granted Howard a five-year, $125 million extension in May 2010.
"Obviously, if we were able to make a deal earlier, we would have had no exposure," Mozeliak said. "Once you go to the open market, things happen. As to why we didn't get a deal done, whether it was last year or in previous years, you would have to ask his representation. But I imagine this is exactly what they wanted to see happen eventually."
The renamed Miami Marlins became the first known suitor for Pujols after he filed for free agency and, according to sources familiar with the bids, made a more lucrative offer than the Angels when tax implications are considered.
Refusal to include no-trade language contributed to the Marlins exiting the bidding for Pujols early Tuesday and allowed the Cardinals a brief sense of confidence.
Motivated to buy, the Angels secured Pujols while also landing former Texas Rangers starting pitcher C.J. Wilson with a five-year, $77.5 million bid that left owner Arte Moreno with a one-day free-agent tab of $331.5 million.
The Angels' lightning strike contrasted the Cardinals' more measured approach.
Negotiations between the club and Pujols had failed to resume until after the Nov. 14 hire of Mike Matheny as manager to succeed Tony La Russa, for whom Pujols had played the entirety of his career.
Contact between the parties included a number of teleconferences involving Pujols, Lozano, DeWitt and Mozeliak. Though staying in the same hotel this week, DeWitt and Mozeliak did not meet with Lozano after Monday.
The Cardinals' most recent tender appeared to factor Pujols' turning 41 before he reached the final season of a 10-year deal that would have gone into force next April. Last January's proposal would have begun last season, meaning Pujols would have played his final season at 39.
A difficult season that started slowly and was briefly derailed by a right-wrist fracture elevated rumors among some clubs whether Pujols' listed age is accurate. Dipoto backhanded the issue Thursday, calling Pujols "an honorable man and a very respectful man. I'm not a scientist, but I can tell you he hits like he's 27."
Matheny comes aboard without his former teammate and the club's longtime offensive centerpiece. Matheny said he spoke to Pujols several times during the process and remained optimistic about his return, but ultimately respected his decision and the process.
"What a great player, an iconic player," Matheny said. "I always enjoyed my time with him as a teammate, enjoyed watching him as a fan and always respected what he meant for the Cardinals organization. I would have loved for him to come back. But I understand he faced a major decision for himself and his family."
Pujols declined to discuss his contract status after entering camp last February but became increasingly disenchanted by the process, according to sources familiar with his thinking.
Thursday's outcome represented both an end to Pujols' prolific career with the Cardinals and a relationship with management that had soured over the past two years. Pujols became particularly incensed last summer when Mozeliak referred to any talks after the season as "independent" of the January proposal. This month's initial proposal served as a further irritant.
"We did engage two years ago and that was not productive from the standpoint of any real chance to do an extension," DeWitt said. "We've tried on two separate occasions in the past. We weren't able to make it happen. I think the kind of windows that presented themselves to make an effort, we tried to do so."
The Angels' bid outflanked an organization reluctant to commit more than 20 percent of projected payroll to one player. The Cardinals' final bid actually ranked fourth among teams willing to commit 10 years to Pujols. Even without the Marlins in play, the Cardinals' bid lagged behind the Angels and another suitor willing to move its established first baseman to create a place for Pujols.
"I think about historic things as much as anybody. That means a lot to me. But you still have to do the analysis," DeWitt said. "The most important thing is to be competitive and to have a chance to win every single year. If you pay more to one player or a certain group of players, that impacts the ability to compete."
Asked what Pujols' departure means for the franchise brand, Mozeliak reminded, "The big thing when you look at it is the word 'franchise.' That's the most important part to all this. It's maintaining a winning tradition that is steeped with a great history. I think any time you put one man ahead of that, that's when things start to go wrong."
