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Albert Pujols indicated that he won't be ready to commit to the Cardinals beyond 2011 until he sees what direction they're going in for the future.
Pujols, who pushed for his team to sign Manny Ramirez this winter, clearly wants to see more money spent to improve the roster. "I want to win, like our fans want to win, just like our manager wants to win, our coaching staff, everybody in this clubhouse, the front office," Pujols said. "If they change their strategy then I'm going to have to change mine, too." Rotoworld.com

It's still a long time away, but Albert has a point and I mentioned it somewhat earlier. The problem is that Pujols is so good, the Cards will always be right around playoff contention, so management doesn't feel the need to spend money elsewhere. If they actually sign Manny for say 2 years, that will be the most lethal 3-4 combo in baseball. It would rank with the all-time greats as well. You saw what Manny/Ortiz did, this would be more lethal.

They won in 2006 and they are in the top half of the league in payroll.  What else does this guy want?

It sounds like he wants the payroll even higher and to win again in 2009.

Who is not?  They never go after any big names, just reclamation projects.  The Cardinals have always been cheap.  Has he not been paying attention?

Modified to add:
Albert complains a lot but he really likes it here.  Besides, even DeWitt will not let his meal ticket get away.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txcardinalspujols&prov=st&type=lgns

Pujols wants to end career with Cardinals
1 hour, 47 minutes ago
 
JUPITER, FLORIDA (TICKER) —The St. Louis Cardinals have not returned to the postseason since their improbable championship run in 2006.

But that has not discouraged superstar Albert Pujols, who claimed he wants to end his career in St. Louis.

After arriving at the Cardinals’ spring training facility, Pujols addressed the media Sunday night, discussing a variety of topics such as his contract, the team’s future and baseball’s ongoing steroids scandal.

Pujols, 29, has two years and a team option remaining on the seven-year, $100 million contract he signed with the Cardinals in 2004. Barring a major injury, the Cardinals almost certainly will exercise their $16 million option on Pujols for 2011.

When asked if he would pursue free agency following the 2011 season, Pujols insisted he wanted to remain with the Cardinals.
 
“Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course, because that city has opened the door to me and my family like no other city is ever going to do,” the first baseman said. “I don’t want to go to any other city. If that time comes I’m pretty sure wherever I go, they are going to do the same way - hopefully open the doors. But I don’t think it’s going to be anything compared to St. Louis.”

Pujols will be 32 years old entering the 2012 season and would receive lucrative contract offers if he tests free agency. But the two-time National League MVP claimed that winning is his top priority.

“People from other teams want to play in St. Louis and they’re jealous that we’re in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable,” Pujols said. “So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 million or $4 more million a year?

“It’s not about the money. I already got my money. It’s about winning and that’s it. It’s about accomplishing my goal, and my goal is to try to win. If this organization shifts the other way, then I have to go the other way.”

Since their magical 2006 season when they won the World Series after posting an 82-79 record, the Cardinals have missed the playoffs each of the last two years, going a combined 164-160 over that stretch.

Although they have been plagued by multiple injuries over the last two seasons, the Cardinals have received outstanding production from Pujols, a .334 career hitter who has belted at least 32 home runs in each of his eight years with St. Louis.

Despite battling a chronic elbow injury throughout the 2008 campaign, Pujols delivered one of his finest seasons, batting .357 with 37 homers and 116 RBI en route to being named the NL MVP.

St. Louis, which went a surprising 86-76 last year, has been relatively inactive this offseason. But Pujols is satisfied with the direction of the organization.

“It’s about being in a place to win and being in a position to win,” the seven-time All-Star said. “If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team every year like they have, I’m going to try to work everything out to stay in this town.

“But if they’re not on the same page of bringing championship caliber to play every year, then it’s time for me to go somewhere else.”

Pujols also touched on the issue of steroids drugs in baseball - a topic that resurfaced last week when Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancers from 2001-03 as a member of the Texas Rangers.

According to Sports Illustrated, Rodriguez was named on a list of 104 players who tested positive for banned substances in 2003.

“Whatever they want to do with that list, that’s their problem,” Pujols said. “But I don’t want to sit here and talk about steroids. Every time I try to talk about it, it seems people want to take it a different way and say, like in the past, ‘He’s defending Barry Bonds because he’s taking (performance-enhancing drugs), too.’

“I don’t want to bring that controversy into the clubhouse. That’s not me. I just don’t think it’s fair when we talk about something like that and people try to throw me in the deep hole too because I say what I feel.”

Come to the pinstripes, Albert... come to pinstripes...

The irony of you cheering for the Devil's baseball team (Yankees) is not lost on me...  ;)

Pujols is a generational player. He is someone you tell your grandkids about. The Cards can't let him walk.

Lol! Good one.

I say we wait for the situation to deteriorate, and pick up both pujols and BJ upton (former charleston riverdog) in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

I have already submitted a request to Mrs Upton to get her five-tool womb busy producing a SS with some pop for my Padres in time for the 2028 season...but I'll take either of the current Uptons out there with no hesitation between now and then.

  Love it when a player is so vocal about how teams should spend their money.  Maybe a job in Gov is in his future.   Does he not know about the economy?  Probably not considering he is going to make over 14 million this year. 

If Pujols is so generous with other people money then do so with his own.  Sign a new deal for 500K & allow the Cards to used the 14+ million savings on other players.

I'd venture a guess this would not be something Pujols would be willing to do, so he should just STFU & play.

Again - I don't see what the F Pujols is talking about.  I really don't.  The Cards had the 11th highest payroll in the game last season at $100,624,450.  They were within a couple million dollars of being #9 instead of #11.

19 teams spend less money on payroll than St. Louis.

Shut up and swing the bat, Pujols.  Seriously. 

I am the first one to bitch when a team doesn't spend money when they can.  St. Louis is not one of those teams.

If Manny were a good guy AND player he would have been signed by now.  Believe this:  the only reason teams like St. Louis haven't gobbled him up yet is because his act has been played.  No one wants to deal with this guy beyond a one year deal.

It's not that St. Louis wouldn't spend the money on a guy like that - they just don't want Man-Ram.  I don't blame them.

  Yeap. Manny has made his bed with his act over the years, so he can either sleep in it or not.  Its his fault, but since when is something being your fault an reason to pay the price of ignorance. 

Maybe Gov bailout is on the way for him.

I have no doubt Manny will make 90-100 million over the next four years.  I just think it will be in one year deals at a time.

  The one thing Manny needs to consider.  He will be 37 Yrs old this year.  No  team is willing to commit that large of money into an aging player who's bat speed can slow down at any point & who's commitment to the team is questionable at best..    He might hit well for 2 more years, then the last two year be a shell of his former self.  You just never know at that age when it will get you.

Still if Manny were a more committed player then I believe he would have gotten a 3 or 4 YR deal for that type cash.

Maine, you are right. Pujols....you are right...sorta. The problem isn't the Cards small payroll, it's the Cards poor use of that payroll.

Player   Salary (US$)
1. Albert Pujols   13,870,949
2. Troy Glaus   12,500,000
3. Chris Carpenter   10,500,000
4. Joel Pineiro   5,500,000
5. Khalil Greene   4,500,000
6. Kyle Lohse   4,250,000
7. Ryan Franklin   2,250,000
8. Yadier Molina   1,812,500
9. Trever Miller   1,600,000
10. Todd Wellemeyer   1,000,000
11. Rick Ankiel   900,000
12. Jason LaRue   850,000
13. Adam Wainwright   687,500
14. Chris Duncan   439,000
15. Brad Thompson   414,000
16. Ryan Ludwick   411,000
17. Royce Ring   397,500
18. Skip Schumaker   396,000
19. Brendan Ryan   393,000
20 a. Brian Barton   390,000
20 b. Kyle McClellan   390,000
20 c. Josh Kinney   390,000
Total Team Salary:    99,624,449

Glaus is garbage, but they had to take him for the poor Scott Rolen contract. Carpenter is hurt. Joel Pineiro is garbage. Truth is, they only have 3 big money guys and 1 of them is hurt and one is garbage. For a team with a payroll at $100 Million, they don't have a lot of talent.

Yikes -- I disagree about Glaus.

.270 last year while raking out 27 dingers and 99 RBI all for 5 million less than Boston paid for JD "my back is killing me" Drew...not bad at all.  He played very effective defense as well. 

Pineiro is actually not a bad signing at 5 million.  He had a decent '07 and rough-ish 08, but still had a great K/BB ratio with a .500 record (and an ERA that was larger than David Wells' stomach).

The Carpenter signing = he won 51 games for St. Louis in '04, '05 and '06 before getting hurt with a combined 3.12 ERA for those years.  Tony RUINED that signing by running him out there for 241 innings in 05 and 221 the next year in '06 - not to mention the deep playoff run.  Carpenter was worth every penny until he got hurt and was one of the top five pitchers in the game.

You fail to mention great signings on that roster like Molina (.304 / 55 RBI last year), Ankiel (.264 / 25 / 71)...

Ryan Ludwick is a freakin' beast.  A BEAST.  He hit for .299 last season with 37 HR and 113 RBI all for the bargain basement price of $400,000.

I mean, shit.  What else does Albert want?  St. Louis has as good a middle of the order as anyone in the league.  Between him, Glaus, Ankiel and Luddy they cranked out 130 home runs by themselves while knocking in over 400 runs in that foursome alone.

Surround that foursome with five other OKAY players and you have quite the offense.

Pujols needs to shut up.  Or send Ludwick to Boston to hit behind Ortiz.  Whatever fits him best.

Glaus is garbage? What?

Ludwick. :)  is signed for this season at least. 

The offense is not the problem.

A good pitcher or two would help, especially when they are talking about Carp coming out of the bullpen this season.  I will believe he can pitch again when I see it. 

Pujols is voicing the frustration the fans are feeling. He is a god here so he can say anything he wants.

(Scrunching my face Head as I say this...)
Pujols,Pujols,Pujols...It's always Pujols... :D

^ yeah, but you'd take him in a heartbeat ;D

You bet your cute little ass I would..... :D  ;D

Modified to add...(not looking at any numbers or anything) I think the Cardinals have done a good job with turning shit,into something the last few years (since th world series) I feel since Jason Isringhausen,and Chris Carpenter started going south,with injuries They were the two to scare people...

Who's going to be surprised when Pujols gets ripped for steroids down the road?

Hey now... we don't know if Pujols ever took steroids.  I mean c'mon, his head is so big, it needs its own zip code.   ;)

^ Add that line to the overused sayings and rip him all you want 'cause you are jealous he is on my team and not yours.  Na na na na boo boo!

Nobody. Nowadays, anybody who puts up numbers that put him on pace to be one of the 10 greatest sluggers of all-time has to be assume to be juicing.

Not ripping him, I actually like Pujols a lot.