As Winter League Meetings approach, St. Louis Cardinals deliberate over Albert Pujols – MLB News
The St. Louis Cardinals intend to complete their homework prior to next week’s Winter Meetings scheduled in Dallas. The major subject to deal with remains Albert Pujols who is currently a free-agent for the club.
The team general manager John Mozeliak wants the matter be dealt with in the upcoming Winter Meetings which will see all 30 clubs of Major League Baseball. This annual offseason convention shall witness Mozeliak and Pujols face-to-face.
However, while Pujols will not have a sole offer from the Cardinals alone, as other teams too shall speak to him, St. Louis will want to be done with this during or before the Winter League. "I think it would be helpful to address this in the next few weeks
for sure," Mozeliak said.
The Cardinals, among other things, need to their bullpen and middle infield filled, not to mention the centre-fielder. All these moves are indeed important, but with Pujols’ matter being the most important of all, the roster’s completion is yet to be carried
out.
“If we had to go in with the roster how it looks, I think we're OK," he said. "Obviously getting [Adam] Wainwright back is a big bonus. I think that's an OK approach. If we weren't able to sign Albert, we would have resources to do some other things that
we're not really about or focusing on at the moment."
In any case, the St. Louis Cardinals want to give Albert Pujols a say in the contract. Because the shortstop is the position where Pujols looms large, it will be a great disadvantage for the Cardinals if he leaves.
But even in his absence, the Cardinals want to make plans ahead. Tyler Greene may be available to replace Albert Pujols. Ryan Theriot and Skip Schumaker will keep second base intact.
Currently having 36 players in the roster of 40, the new additions shall be moves made after serious deliberations. Whatever the plans for future, the Cardinals want to ensure they positively impact the club in the long run.
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