Cardinals, Albert Pujols table contract talks

The Cardinals and Albert Pujols have agreed to table contract negotiations till after the season, according to SI.com. The Cardinals own a 12 million dollar club option for 2011, so it is not essential that a deal gets done. 

However, locking up Pujols sooner than later definitely avoids speculation about where he could go on the free agent market, or if they team would trade him for another All-Star. It was rumored in Spring Training that the Phillies discussed internally a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols. 

Pujols, 30, could sign a 10-12 year extension worth upwards of 20 million per season. There has been some concern over his elbow, but he hasn't had any major complications worth noting. Still, any long term deal should be met with caution from the Cardinals side.