Sunday, February 22, 2004
The major league's top hitter last season got a $100 million, seven-year pact.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
While Greg Maddux, Ivan Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. checked into camp, Albert Pujols made the biggest splash at spring training.
The St. Louis Cardinals banked on their slugger for the future, reaching agreement with Pujols on a $100 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a source told The Associated Press.
Pujols was scheduled for a salary arbitration hearing Friday -- he was asking for $10.5 million and the team offered $7 million. Instead, the sides settled, according to the source, who was familiar with the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Top hitter
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 finished second behind Barry Bonds in voting for the NL MVP award. He made $950,000 last year.
The deal came two days before the Cardinals opened camp in Jupiter, Fla.
Maddux reported to the Chicago Cubs' camp in Mesa, Ariz., and was thrilled to rejoin the team.
"It's a privilege to have the chance to come back and play in Chicago," he said. "I spent nine great years here when I first started, and I never forgot that.
"I'm just glad this day has come again where I have chance to come back and finish where I started," he said.
Maddux in fold
The Cubs officially announced Maddux's deal as they opened spring training in Mesa, Ariz. The four-time Cy Young winner signed a $24 million, three-year contract.
Maddux, who turns 38 in April, will get an opportunity to earn his 300th career victory with the Cubs. He needs 11 more wins to reach the mark.
"As great a story as it is, it's really about the fact that Greg Maddux can still win a lot of baseball games," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "It's a feel-good story, but it's a story based on Greg making us a better ballclub."
Rodriguez, who helped guide a young Florida Marlins team to a World Series championship last season, will work out Thursday at Detroit's camp in Lakeland, Fla.
"Having Pudge on board gives us instant credibility," manager Alan Trammell said. "He's a marquee player, and when people say 'Tigers' they think of Pudge now."
The All-Star catcher tried on his uniform and looked over his gear.
"It's going to be the same as last year, learning the new pitchers, giving them some confidence," he said.
Griffey is hopeful
Griffey showed up at Cincinnati's camp in Sarasota, Fla., hoping to have a productive and full year. His last three seasons have ended with an injury.
"I'll do some little things," he said. "They say they're going to take it easy on me."
Newly acquired Alfonso Soriano was in the news, too. The Texas Rangers said Soriano, obtained in the trade for Alex Rodriguez, was two years older than his listed age.
Soriano is 28, not 26.
The Rangers said they knew the two-time All-Star's correct age before getting him.
"The Yankees were up front. Our people were fully aware of how old he was," Rangers spokesman Gregg Elkin said.
"Without a question, that was the information we had."