My understanding is it's Pujols who set the deadline, not the Cardinals. Yeah, I think it was Pujols that put the deadline on it too. But, I think that's just a bargaining chip as well, in the grand scheme of things. Which is why I think that if the Cards come up to him midway through ST and say we're going to up our offer in both years and money, he'd listen. But, I am taking this point of view being under the impression that he loves St.Louis and WANTS to play there for his entire career. And that could easily be a mistake on my part for thinking that. As for his possibility of joining the Cubs, if he DOES leave the Cards? I hate to say it, but I think we'd have to be one of the favorites and I certainly don't think that Pujols would have an issue playing for us either. If he leaves the Cards, the bridge is burned. There would be hard feelings on BOTH sides as soon as it's known he's not going to play there. And I think his criteria would then shift to money and what kind of team are you going to put around him? If the Cubs are the most impressive to him, when it comes time to do that, I think he'd be a Cub and not allow stuff in his past to play into his decision.