Albert Pujols declared that he wants to remain with the Cardinals, quieting speculation that the man widely considered the game's premier player might leave St. Louis.
"The fans know and the Cardinals know that I want to be a Cardinal for my whole career," Pujols told WXOS-FM on Thursday, as The Associated Press reported. "I love this city -- the way that this city has embraced me and my family."
Pujols prompted concern among the legion of Cardinals fans in a different radio interview earlier this month. Then, the two-time National League Most Valuable Player expressed no urgency to extend his St. Louis contract, which ends after the 2010 season and includes a club option for '11.
"I'm not desperate to sign a contract extension," Pujols told CDN 92.5 FM. "I still have one year remaining in my contract for 2010 and a club option for 2011. I leave the rest in God's hands."
Pujols repeated on Thursday that he won't be in a hurry to sign another deal with the Cardinals. But he added that "if they come tomorrow and say 'Albert, you know, we want to lock you up,' they know that we're open to that."
Pujols also expressed his approval of the Cardinals naming Mark McGwire the team's new hitting instructor. Manager Tony La Russa said he consulted Pujols about McGwire before hiring the former single-season home run king.
St. Louis' Skip Schumaker and Matt Holliday, who's eligible for free agency, are among the Major Leaguers who have worked with McGwire on their hitting in previous offseasons.
"He's going to teach guys how to play the game," said Pujols, who's in line for another MVP award after hitting .327 with 47 homers and 135 RBIs in 2009. "He's going to say to the guys, 'This is what I have to offer you,' and hopefully they'll put it together and hopefully it will work. I'm looking forward to that, knowing he's going to bring that hitting experience into the organization, and hopefully we'll learn."
And you know if Albert signs an extension as Cards fans fervently hope...or they re-up Matt Holliday,or even happen to be in the hunt for Roy Halladay for that matter,Abs will gleefully chime in!
