The Cardinals know it will take a lengthy and substantial offer to keep Albert Pujols in St. Louis, but the slugging first baseman would like to see what the Cards do this offseason before beginning serious contract talks, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Agent Dan Lozano says he and his client aren't in a rush to complete a long-term deal. Pujols is under contract for next year and the Cardinals are expected to pick up his $16MM option for 2011.
The Cardinals have interest in signing Matt Holliday, who's in position to demand one of the offseason's biggest contracts. Team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. told the Post-Dispatch that signing Holliday "at the right level" wouldn't prevent them from locking Pujols up long-term.
If Holliday's demands exceed the team's budget, they figure to spend on pitching, according to Goold. They have interest in Xavier Nady, and Miguel Tejada could be a fit, too. Adrian Beltre has yet to draw interest from the Cardinals, according to Goold's source.
