Albert Pujols, Cardinals Push Back Deadline in Extension Talks

With Cardinals legend Stan Musial poised to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on Tuesday, St. Louis asked for and was granted a one-day extension by Albert Pujols as he and the team continue to try and hammer out a new contract, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Monday.

Pujols had set the beginning of spring training as the deadline for contract extension negotiations, not wanting them to become a distraction to him and the team as the 2011 season approaches. Instead, he'll go one day into it in deference to Musial.

The Cardinals and their three-time MVP have never appeared close to an agreement during this offseason, so it seems unlikely that this stay of execution will result in much positive progress in the negotiations.

Sources told FanHouse's Steve Phillips Monday that there have been no substantive conversations between the two parties in recent weeks. St. Louis readily acknowledges that Pujols is the game's best player, but maintains that it simply does not have the financial resources to pay him as such.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez remains the highest-paid player in baseball. He signed a 10-year, $275 million deal after the 2007 season -- the total value of the contract could be $300 million if Rodriguez hits certain performance incentives -- so Pujols is probably looking to be paid in the region of $30 million annually in his next deal.

The 31-year-old first baseman can become a free agent after the 2011 season. He is set to make $16 million in 2011, the final year of a seven-year, $100 million extension he signed just before the 2004 season.