Cardinals, Pujols Strike $100 Million Deal

Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals finalized their $100 million, seven-year contract Friday, the biggest deal in the history of the franchise.

“This is a big day in Cardinal history,” Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said at a news conference. “Albert’s numbers are incredible.”

At 24, Pujols led the major leagues in hitting at .359 last year. He hit 43 home runs with 124 RBIs and topped the majors with 51 doubles

Pujols, who made $950,000 last year, could get a much as $111 million in the new contract if the Cardinals exercise an option for an eighth year.

St. Louis made Pujols the ninth baseball player to receive a $100 million contract, the first since Jason Giambi’s $120 million, seven-year agreement with the New York Yankees in December 2001.

“The money will mean something in a small way with my family, but it won’t change the way I play baseball,” Pujols said.

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said the signing of Pujols is important as the team prepares to move to a new ballpark in 2006.

“Albert’s accomplishments for the past three years are truly historic,” DeWitt said. “Albert has a great work ethic and it epitomizes winning.”

Pujols is the fastest player to receive a $100 million contract. Colorado’s Todd Helton signed a $141.5 million, nine-year extension in March 2001 after three-plus seasons in the big leagues.

Third baseman Scott Rolen previously had been the highest-paid Cardinals player. He’ll be entering the second year of a $90 million, eight-year contract.

Pujols gets $7 million this year, $11 million in 2005, $14 million in 2006, $15 million in 2007 and $16 million in each of the final three years, according to contract terms obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. The Cardinals have a $16 million option for 2011 with a $5 million buyout.

St. Louis gets to defer $3 million a year from his 2007-10 salaries without interest, with Pujols getting $1.2 million a year from 2020-29.

Cardinals pitchers and catcher also reported Friday to training camp, with the first workout scheduled for Saturday. The first workout for position players is Feb. 25.

Pujols had been working out in the Miami area, near the Cardinals’ spring training site, during negotiations.