Cardinals, Pujols extend contract deadline

JUPITER, Fla. - The St. Louis Cardinals and representatives for Albert Pujols have agreed to a 24-hour extension to reach a new contract out of respect for Stan Musial.

The Cardinals Hall of Famer will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington today and general manager John Mozeliak said the club did not want to distract from Musial's special day.

Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, originally set a deadline of today, the first workout day for pitchers and catchers in Jupiter, Fla. Mozeliak said the new deadline is noon (EST) Wednesday.

Pujols is due to make $16 million this season in the final year of his contract, with $4 million of the total deferred without interest.

The 31-year-old Pujols is seeking a contract, perhaps as long as a decade in length, that would make him one of the highest paid players in the major leagues and allow him to retire as a Cardinal.

• Royals GM says team finally at 'sea level;' General manager Dayton Moore says he can finally see the Kansas City Royals turning the corner.

With the Royals pitchers and catchers reporting, Moore said he is "very excited" about this spring training. Moore signed free agent outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera, and left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis, but he's more excited about the influx of homegrown talent.

First baseman Eric Hosmer, the third pick in the 2008 draft, and third baseman Mike Moustakas, the second pick in the 2007 draft, top a list of promising prospects in camp.

• Morales' expected return a plus for Angels: The expected return of first baseman Kendry Morales and the Angels' offseason acquisition of center fielder Vernon Wells are among the reasons manager Mike Scioscia said things are looking up for his team.

Scioscia says the Angels are already a better team now than they were at any point last year.

Scioscia spoke as pitchers and catchers began workouts at the team's spring training complex in Tempe.

Morales had just belted his 11th homer of the season, a game-winning grand slam last May, and was celebrating at home plate when his left leg snapped. The season that had been looking so promising was suddenly over.

• Showalter takes charge in first camp with Orioles: Baltimore's first spring training under manager Buck Showalter is under way.

Pitchers and catchers took their physicals and headed outdoors around noon. Showalter wore a black windbreaker and carried a fungo bat during the entire three-hour workout, moving from field to field and barking out instructions.

He also paused to shake hands with second baseman Brian Roberts, an early arrival in camp.

Twenty-nine of the 30 pitchers listed on the camp roster participated in the workout, along with all six catchers. Missing was reliever Alfredo Simon, who remains in a Dominican jail in connection with a New Year's Eve shooting.

The Orioles went 34-23 under Showalter, raising expectations among players and fans for a franchise in search of its first winning season since 1997.

• Braves prepare to start the Fredi Gonzalez era: The first day of spring training will seem a little strange for the Atlanta Braves.

When pitchers and catchers take the field today, it will be the first time since 1990 that someone other than Bobby Cox is running things. Fredi Gonzalez is the manager now, though he doesn't expect too many striking chances as he leads the Braves into a new era.

Gonzalez once served as the Braves' third-base coach, and he was ready to take over the job after Cox announced his retirement. There will be some subtle differences, such as using all the fields at the Braves spring training complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

But, all in all, Gonzalez and the Braves expect a smooth transition.

• Yankees finalize deal with Jones: The New York Yankees have finalized a $2 million, one-year contract with Andruw Jones.

The team announced the deal with the five-time All-Star outfielder on Monday.

Jones can earn an additional $1.2 million in performance bonuses as part of the agreement: $150,000 each for 250 and 275 plate appearances, $200,000 apiece for 300 and 325, and $250,000 each for each of 350 and 375.

The 33-year-old Jones will be a right-handed-hitting backup to Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher. He made an impact against New York in his rookie season, homering twice for Atlanta at Yankee Stadium in the 1996 World Series opener.

Jones hit .230 with 19 homers and 48 RBIs in 107 games last season with the Chicago White Sox.

To make room on the 40-man roster, New York designated right-handed pitcher Brian Schlitter for assignment.

• Marmol, Cubs agree to $20 million, 3-year deal: Carlos Marmol, once a catcher in the minors, has been rewarded for his expertise as a closer.

Marmol agreed to a three-year, $20 million contract with the Chicago Cubs and avoided salary arbitration. The Cubs announced the deal after their first workout for pitchers and catchers. Marmol will have a salary of $3.2 million this season, $7 million in 2012 and $9.8 million in 2013.

Marmol had 38 saves in 43 chances with a 2-3 record and 2.55 ERA last season. He had asked for $5.65 million in arbitration while the Cubs countered with an offer of $4.1 million. An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for today.

The 28-year-old Marmol took over the closer's role in August 2009 and has converted 49 of 54 save chances since then.

• Upbeat Zumaya feeling healthy for Tigers: With an excited smile and a healthy right arm, Joel Zumaya is back on the field for the Detroit Tigers.

The hard-throwing reliever laughed and joked his way through even the most mundane of drills during the team's first workout Monday, his spirits high as he tries to move on from yet another injury.

Zumaya broke his pitching elbow in June, the latest unlucky setback for the entertaining right-hander with tattoos on both arms and a fastball that's been known to hit triple digits on the radar gun.

Zumaya helped the Tigers to the World Series in 2006, but he hasn't pitched more than 31 games in a season since.