The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting this morning that the contract talks between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols continue to stall. The two sides are set to meet in Phoenix for an arbitration hearing on Friday if the two sides can’t come to an agreement. In arbitration bids last month, Pujols asked for $10.5-milllion in 2004, while the Cardinals suggested a sum of $7-million. According to the article, one of the hold-ups has been the issue of a no-trade clause—Pujols wants one, the Cardinals do not. He’s already turned down five, six and seven-year deals worth $50-million, $72-million, and $84-million. Pujols’ offensive numbers in his first three seasons comprise the best start to a career in the history of the major leagues.
