"1. If Pujols leaves, I'd be reluctant to demonize either side ... well, at least not until we know exactly what was offered by both teams. Let's go over this again: baseball is a business, period. Pujols isn't morally obligated to re-sign with the Cardinals. This is his first crack at free agency and he has every right to take advantage of it to steer his career in a way that pleases him. On the other side, the Cardinals are under no obligation to give an aging Pujols a silly contract that could complicate the club's ability to compete down the road.

The only way I'd change my opinion -- and cast blame -- is if Pujols walks from a deal that puts the Cardinals reasonably close to the Marlins' offer. If it's close, (relatively speaking) then why would he leave? It would expose Pujols as a phony given his previous statements about wanting to be here forever.

Or, I would change my opinion and assign blame on the Cardinals is if they make no attempt to adjust what they've already offered, and basically push Pujols into South Florida through their ambivalence.

But let's understand something here: this is a tough negotiation. It's hardball. These things aren't supposed to be easy. It can be brutal, with high emotion and hurt feelings on both sides.

Sure we'd like to pretend otherwise. We frequently get caught up in the game's romance, the myth-making, the need to reassure ourselves that every player is in this for the love of the game, takes pure joy in playing for "our" team and that the dollars are a secondary concern. It isn't often the case. There's a reason why there's only one Stan Musial. And oh, by the way: Stan the Man never had a chance to test the free-agent market. (OK, he received an offer from a proposed pro league in Mexico, but it isn't the same.)"