"The St. Louis Cardinals presented three-time MVP Albert Pujols a contract offer this afternoon at the winter meetings, and when asked whose court the ball is now in general manager John Mozeliak replied succinctly:

"Theirs."

The details of the Cardinals offer are not yet known, and Mozeliak declined to disclose any specific. He did acknowledge that the Cardinals position had changed in regards to negotiating with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano. Mozeliak also said it represented a new offer and not one that had its origins in the nine-year, $198-million deal offered Pujols in January.

Mozeliak said that he imagines the resolution will come "sooner rather than later.""