Albert Pujols: Slugger Reportedly Rejects Offer, Set to End Talks Tuesday

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Albert Pujols Rejects Cardinals' Offer, Barring Dramatic Change Will End Talks with Team on Tuesday.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, arguably the game's greatest hitter, will reportedly end talks with the Cardinals on Tuesday barring dramatic change after rejecting their contract offer on Sunday.

Pujols, 31, who was reportedly asking for 10 years and $300 million, would be ending talks with the Cardinals for the rest of the season if he ends them Tuesday. Pujols is a free agent after the 2011 season.

Pujols, who could be the game's greatest hitter today, is making $16 million with the Cardinals in the final year of his contract.

Since his rookie year in 2001, Pujols has yet to smash less than 32 home runs in a season, or collect less than 100 RBI and 99 runs.

He doesn't appear to be slowing down, either.

Last season, Pujols hit .312 with 42 home runs, 118 RBI and 115 runs.

Pujols holds a career .331 batting average.

Of course, Pujols leaving the Cardinals would have a dramatic change on the rest of baseball, setting the bar high for other future free agents such as Milwaukee Brewers star Prince Fielder, not to mention changing the landscape with whoever he ends up with.

A 10-year, $300 million contract would perhaps be even more absurd than the the contract Alex Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers following the 2000 season, valued at 10 years, $252 million.

It's hard to see Pujols being anything other than a Cardinal after 10 seasons with the club, but it's indeed a possibility if he hits free agency.

Let the countdown to free agency begin.

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