来源: http://tinyurl.com/7fecpf 01/19/09 6:04 PM EST Pujols unconcerned about health, deal NL MVP feeling '100-percent healthy,' not worrying about money By Matthew Leach / MLB.com ST. LOUIS -- As far as Albert Pujols is concerned, neither his right elbow nor his contract is an issue. Good luck finding anyone in St. Louis who sees things the same way. Speaking to reporters on Monday at the annual Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up, Pujols said his surgically repaired right elbow has progressed much faster than expected and he does not expect it to hinder him in Spring Training. He also said that he's hardly given a thought to what Mark Teixeira's contract with the Yankees means to his own situation. "[I'm] not in rehab mode," Pujols said. "My rehab mode was over about a month ago. If I called this rehab mode, the way I'm swinging the bat and throwing and lifting, I would be lying to you guys. I feel 100-percent healthy with my elbow." Pujols underwent nerve transposition surgery in his throwing elbow in October. Neither doctors nor he thought that he needed Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery, and in fact, Pujols said Monday that the nerve operation might obviate the need for a reconstruction down the road. As for his contract, Pujols mostly deflected questions about what the future might hold. He is signed through 2010 with a club option for '11, and it's almost inconceivable that St. Louis won't pick up the option when the time comes. Even if the option is exercised, though, Pujols would only turn 32 during his free-agent winter. And given the two MVP awards, Gold Glove, batting title and Roberto Clemente Award on Pujols' mantle, it's pretty clear that he could command a larger pact than Teixeira's eight-year, $180-million deal. "Ask me that question in 2011," Pujols said. "Right now I don't really care about it. "That's [my agents'] job. That's why they're my agents. That's why they're getting paid. They got me the money that I got because they do their homework. So when that time comes, we need to take care of it. As of right now, I don't even worry about it. I worry about getting ready for this year, next year and 2011 if I'm still here and they don't trade me. Because they have the right to trade me wherever they want right now." Pujols acknowledged that he would be open to overtures from the club if the Cardinals decided to pursue an extension before his current deal runs out. "This is the city where I love to play," he said. "Hopefully I'll finish my career here. I think this is a great organization, great city, the best fans in baseball, and hopefully I can finish my career here. But I think you guys and everybody understand this is a business. Who knows what's going to happen this year? Who knows what's going to happen in 2010 or '11? You have a bad year, they don't want you anymore and you get traded." As for the question of being the highest-paid player in the game, Pujols swatted that away as well. "I don't want to talk about money right now," he said. "I got $100 million in my contract, $30 million left or whatever I've got left. So I'm happy with that. I'm blessed. Obviously, there's going to be a lot of talking, 'How much money he needs.' It's not about that. When it comes that time, it's about how our ballclub is. It's about winning. "If I see that I have other opportunities to go somewhere and win, it's about that. It's not just about money. It's about winning. I want to win, and that's what I play for. That's why those people pay a lot of money to come and see us. They want a great team and they want a ballclub that can be in the postseason. I guess I can say I got a little bit spoiled with my first six years in the big leagues, because we made the playoffs [five times]. It's about that." Pujols has deferred some of the money from his current deal, which lasts for seven years and guarantees him $100 million. He did so with the notion that it would allow the Cardinals to spend more on free agents to put a winning ballclub around him. Despite the perception among many in St. Louis that the club has underspent, though, Pujols said he has no qualms with the course the Cardinals have pursued. "So far," he said. "I'm real excited. It's been eight years, going into nine years in the big leagues, and we've been the last couple years a couple of games out. Before, we made the playoffs. I've been [five] times in the playoffs, won a World Series, two appearances, I can't ask for anything else." Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. --

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