Cardinals ink Pujols to $100 million deal

The Atlanta Braves find themselves in an unfamiliar position: as underdogs.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The St. Louis Cardinals weren't taking any chances, not with Albert Pujols.
Not willing to allow him to become a free agent after the 2006 season, the Cardinals gave him a $100 million, seven-year contact Friday that includes a team option for 2011 that could boost the deal to $111 million.
"One of the best moments of my life," Pujols said during a news conference in Jupiter, Fla.
Pujols, 24, hit a major league-best .359 last season with 43 homers and 124 RBIs. The first baseman/outfielder led the big leagues with 51 doubles and was second to San Francisco's Barry Bonds in National League MVP voting.
All at the bargain price of $950,000.
"This deal not only recognizes Albert for his accomplishments over the past three seasons," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "But all along, we felt that it was important to retain a player such as Albert who came up through our farm system, and see to it that he remained a part of the club's nucleus well into the future."
Since arriving in 2001 Pujols has hit 114 homers, matching Ralph Kiner's record for most by a player during his first three seasons. He is the only player in major league history to bat .300 or better with 30 homers, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored in each of his first three seasons.
Pujols is just the ninth baseball player to receive a $100 million contract.
"The money will mean something in a small way with my family, but it won't change the way I play baseball," he said.
Braves are underdogs
In Kissimmee, the Atlanta Braves started workouts in an unfamiliar position: as underdogs.
Following the decision to cut payroll, and the loss of Gary Sheffield, Greg Maddux and Javy Lopez, it appears Philadelphia and the World Series champion Florida Marlins could end the Braves' streak of 12 straight division titles.
"Everybody thinks we're going down this year, which is the same thing I heard when I came to camp last year," Braves pitcher Russ Ortiz said. "That's really kind of crazy when you think about it. Why would an organization that has won for so many years in a row suddenly decide they don't want to win anymore?"
Although payroll has been reduced, the Braves are confident they will contend.
"You read something about our demise every year," general manager John Schuerholz said. "There was a little more of it this year and that always gets you up for your job, but if we were motivated every time someone criticized us, we'd never lose a game."
Mussina eyes ace spot
In Tampa, the New York Yankees said Mike Mussina probably will start their season opener in Tokyo against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on March 30.
Mussina went 17-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 31 starts for the AL champions last season. Following the departures of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells during the offseason, Mussina is part of a rotation that includes Kevin Brown, Javier Vazquez, Jose Contreras and Jon Lieber.
Across the state in Port St. Lucie, Mike Piazza took part in defensive drills for first basemen as more than 2,000 fans watched the New York Mets' first official workout. While only pitchers and catchers were scheduled to take part, Kaz Matsui and Jose Reyes continued getting used to each other in the middle of the infield.