Pujols: 'I want to be a Cardinal'

ST. LOUIS -- Calm down, Cardinals fans: Albert Pujols wants to stay in St. Louis.

"The fans know and the Cardinals know that I want to be a Cardinal for my whole career," Pujols told WXOS-FM on Thursday. "I love this city, the way that this city has embraced me and my family."

Pujols, who has one year left on his contract plus an option year, raised some eyebrows with his comments during an interview with a Dominican radio station earlier this month.

"I'm not desperate to sign a contract extension. I still have one year remaining in my contract for 2010 and a club option for 2011. I leave the rest in God's hands," Pujols told CDN 92.5 FM.

The two-time NL MVP said he wanted the Cardinals to concentrate on signing Matt Holiday and other free agents first.

On Thursday, he reiterated that there is no rush but "if they come tomorrow and say 'Albert, you know, we want to lock you up,' hey they know that we're open to that."

Pujols also praised the hiring of Mark McGwire as the team's new hitting instructor. Manager Tony La Russa said he talked to Pujols about McGwire before hiring the former home run champion.

"He's going to teach guys how to play the game," Pujols said. "He's going to say to the guys, 'This is what I have to offer you,' and hopefully they'll put it together and hopefully it will work. I'm looking forward to that."