Filed under: Cardinals, MLB Rumors
Albert Pujols has already said he wants to end his career as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, stipulating, however, that any long-term contract must be completed by Feb. 19, the first day he will report to spring training because he doesn't want the negotiations to be a distraction during the season.Regardless of what transpires over the next three weeks of negotiations, the All-Star first baseman will not be traded anywhere -- because he would veto any proposal -- according to a report from Buster Olney of ESPN.
Since Pujols has spent 10 years in the majors and five with the same team, he has the right to veto any trade and will exercise that right if a trade possibility for the Cardinals surfaces moving forward.
For the most part, the negotiations between the first baseman and the Cardinals have been kept under wraps, as both parties have sought to keep it away from the media. If no deal is agreed to by spring training, it is very likely -- based on Pujols' demands -- that he ends up exploring free agency next fall.
Pujols is in his last year of a seven-year, $100 million contract and his next pact will undoubtedly rival the 10-year, $275 million deal Alex Rodriguez received with the New York Yankees in 2007.
If the Cardinals cannot reach an agreement with Pujols and he leaves as a free agent, they will receive two draft picks as compensation.
The slugging first baseman finished last season with a .312 batting average, 42 home runs and 118 RBI. For his career, he's been selected to nine All-Star games, earned three NL MVP awards and six Silver Slugger awards. He's also a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.
Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/01/29/albert-pujols-will-reject-any-trade-proposals-if-no-extension-is/
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