... for putting a deadline to his contract negotiations?

Cynicism abounds, when images fo LBJ's "The Decision" go floating around.  What a fiasco that was ...

Plus, if he does decide to go somewhere else, how much of a discussion (and contract language) would there be in relation to the use/evidence of PED's?  I believe that he is clean, but in this day and age, an organization would be foolish to not at least broach the subject during any talks.  It can't be the best publicity, if anything should come out later.

So he and the other Redbirds can think baseball without distractions.

2011=11

Too, every time he had a bad game during the season, some hack sportswriter will question his effort, or will womder if he was distracted by not having a contract. As long as he doesn't have a contract, he's in a no-win situation.

Pujols has played bad in some games in the last ten years with his team but his stats are STILL amazing with those bad games ..... I won't bet against him to continue his prowess in every phase of his game for the next 6 years. I am not comfortable to see the Dewitts giving a 10-year contract extension though.... However, now Pugols, one of the top 5 MLB players with gigamillions followers to see him play every games,  is in a best position to ask for an extension under his terms.  

In 2012 the Cardinals will have a first baseman that the fans will support. It's only a matter of will they have any money for others.

who wants to pay a guy $30m/yr for ten years when he's got maybe 54 or 5 productive years in front of him?
this fall he'll get a 6 or 7 year contract for $26 M/year.  don't shed any tears for him!

I think it was Dave Winfield who said, "If they're dumb enough to pay it, I'm dumb enough to ask for it."