As LaRussa said, they'll use it as a precedent to decide future salary demands. They have a vested interest in making sure that the best player in the world gets paid like it, basically This contract shouldn't determine anything with future contracts, because there isn't a single player in baseball on Pujols' level. No one can use what he gets as a bargaining chip because no one is better than he is. The Werth contract? Sure, no question. Pujols? Really? Unfortunate for the players union that Pujols is immortal and will play forever at this level.