How Long Will Extra $210 Million Stay In The Bank?

Whether you were devastated, relieved, or somewhere in between when Albert Pujols rejected a reported $210 million, 10-year contract offer from team president, Bill Dewitt, and GM John Mozeliak, the fact remains that the departure of the St. Louis Cardinals’ long-time first basement gives the front office a lot more payroll flexibility moving forward. Photo Courtesy of/Copyright Erika Lynn Since December 8th, the day news broke that Pujols was taking his talents to SoCal, the Cardinals have made a number of moves: first re-signing middle infielders Skip Schumaker and Rafael Furcal, then adding an impact bat in Carlos Beltran and a veteran bullpen arm in J.C. Romero. The moves are nothing to scoff at, and the Cardinals likely aren’t done adding pieces to an already loaded World Championship roster for the 2012 season. Thus far, the Cardinals have committed roughly $45 million to those four players over the next two seasons, and two of the four were carryovers from last year’s squad....