Though the exact dollar amounts of the deals offered to Albert Pujols by the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals are unclear, one thing is for sure: The Cardinals have the hometown advantage. With that in mind, it seems as if the Marlins are getting creative in their attempt to entice Pujols to play in South Florida. According to a report by ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Marlins latest offer includes provisions that would "position Pujols as a figurehead of their franchise after his playing career is finished." Stark reported that instead of breaking club policy and giving Pujols a no-trade clause, the Marlins are attempting to indicate their long term commitment to Pujols by folding him into the franchise once he is retired.
As for the dollar amounts of each contract? This morning. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported that the Marlins' offer is believed to be "pennies" ahead of Pujols in the "grand scheme" of things, allegedly no more than $220 million. If that is true, and Pujols does leave for Miami for a seemingly insignificant amount of money, Cardinals fans will likely be looking for an explanation as to why he left the only team he's ever known.
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