Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have targeted December for Operation Sign Albert Pujols. Well, they may have a better name for it, but that’s what it is:
“Timing is important,” Mozeliak said. “We don’t want it to drag out this winter. I wouldn’t say it’s at a critical juncture right now, but I’d like to think between now and the Christmas holiday we’d start addressing it.”
He added that “next month may be a critical time.”
I can’t imagine the freaking out we’ll see among Cardinals fans if they don’t get Pujols signed before spring training, and I can’t think of a way to consider such an occurrence other than as an unmitigated disaster. I mean, it’s not like they could trade the guy if things go sideways, what with his 10 and 5 rights. If it’s not done by early-to-mid February, he’s almost certainly going to become a free agent at the close of next season.