Roundup: A deadline for Pujols

A trio avoided arbitration on Saturday, while Bruce Chen
re-upped with Kansas City and Kyle Farnsworth signed on with the Rays. Most of
those moves, though, paled in comparison to the news of St. Louis’ negotiations
with Albert Pujols.

Pujols, almost certain to be a Hall of Famer, will not
discuss a contract extension once Spring Training is underway, Cards general
manager John Mozeliak said Saturday.

Mozeliak was told of the deadline by Pujols’ agent Danny
Lozano. St. Louis infielders and outfielders report to camp on Feb. 18 in
Jupiter, Fla.

Pujols, whose 31^st birthday is Sunday, is in the
last season of an eight-year deal.

With Zack Greinke out of the mix, Chen returns to the
Royals off a strong 2010 in which he matched Greinke for a team-best ERA among
starters: 4.17. Chen also led the club in wins with 12. The 33-year-old’s
one-year deal is worth $2 million plus incentives and is pending a physical.

The Rays this offseason have seen six relievers
depart via free agency and they recouped some of their losses by bringing in
Farnsworth. The 34-year-old
went 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 60 appearances last season with the Royals and
Braves. His deal is for one-year at $3.25 million, and includes a club option
for 2012.

After 119 players filed for arbitration on Friday, four
signed deals on Saturday:

• Carlos Villanueva and the Blue Jays agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.415 million according to Sports
  Illustrated’s Jon Heyman. The 27-year-old right-hander came over from the
  Brewers via trade in December.
• Sidearming right-hander Brad Ziegler, 31, agreed to a one-year deal
  with the A’s worth $1.25 million.
• Phillies outfielder Ben Francisco, 29, is back on a one-year, $1.175 million deal.
• Right-hander Kyle McClellan, 26, avoided arbitration with St. Louis for an
  undisclosed amount of money.