Pujols speaks on future plans

JUPITER, Fla. -- Albert Pujols said Sunday that the St. Louis Cardinals' commitment to winning will dictate if he re-signs with the club when his contract expires in two years.

"It's not about the money all the time," the first baseman said. "It's about being in a place to win and being in a position to win.

"If the Cardinals are willing to do that and put a team [on the field] every year like they have, I'm going to try to work everything out to stay in this town. But if they're not bringing championship caliber play every year, then it's time for me to go somewhere else that I can win."

Pujols, who arrived in camp Sunday and spent time in the batting cage, signed a seven-year, $100 million deal in the spring of 2004 -- the richest contract ever awarded by the Cardinals. He has been a bargain, winning his second MVP award last season after hitting .357 with 37 home runs and 116 RBI.

But Pujols has never regretted his decision even after seeing several of his peers signing contracts that pay more than $20 million a season.

"When I signed my contract I was really happy with what I got," he said. "When that time comes [for another contract], then we're going to figure it out."

Pujols feels fortunate that he has been in the playoffs five of his eight seasons in the majors. But that trend must continue for him to wear a Cardinals uniform in 2011.

"I want to win, like our fans want to win, just like our manager wants to win, our coaching staff, everybody in this clubhouse, the front office," Pujols said. "If they change their strategy, then I'm going to have to change mine, too."

Pujols is satisfied with the direction of the club despite not making the playoffs the last two seasons and coming off an offseason in which the lone significant acquisition was shortstop Khalil Greene.

"The last couple of years have been tougher because other teams have got much better," he said. "We want to be in the postseason every year if we can, but sometimes we can't control those things."

Pujols underwent nerve transposition surgery on his right elbow in November and is unsure how it will react to the everyday workload of spring training.

Manager Tony La Russa said the Cardinals will be "very careful in the progression with his drills and swinging and off-field work."

Pujols still is unsure if he will play for his native Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic because of the surgery and insurance issues. He was a member of the team in 2006.

"I've already done it once," he said. "I need to make sure everything goes the right way. I'm not going to go out there and play without insurance. I don't think that's a smart thing. And I need to [see] how my elbow reacts to training here every day."