Dallas, TX – The Miami Marlins have reportedly upped their time National League MVP is now mulling that deal.
With the Marlins being so aggressive toward Pujols, it's essentially become a two-team race between them and the St. Louis Cardinals for his services.
Miami, which has already locked up closer Heath Bell and shortstop Jose Reyes, met with Pujols early on in the free agent process, offering him a nine-year deal that was believed to be less than what the Cardinals offered last spring.
However, Marlins officials met with Pujols' agent Dan Lozano on Monday and increased their offer to 10 years. Financial figures were not known, but it is believed to be more than the $22 million per year that was originally offered.
Pujols, who has spent his entire 11-year career with the Cardinals, had a sub- par season by his standards in 2011. He hit under .300 with fewer than 100 RBI for the first time in his career (.299, 99 RBI), while swatting 37 homers.
The 31-year-old Pujols is among the Cardinals' all-time leaders in numerous categories. His 445 career homers are just 30 shy of Stan Musial's club record, and he also ranks second to Musial in runs batted in, walks, extra- base hits, doubles, and total bases.
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