MLB Cardinals Senior VP & GM John Mozeliak yesterday said he does not anticipate significant changes in the club's '12 payroll even as the World Series will go at least six games, generating millions in additional revenue. Mozeliak said, "As I told you before, as far as payroll goes for next year, I don't see a major deviation from where we are this year." The Cardinals had an Opening Day payroll of $105M, 11th highest in MLB. "As far as additional revenues due to our postseason success, it's a fairly large delta and one that I'm not yet real comfortable yet trying to nail down. But certainly the deeper you go in the postseason, you do benefit." Mozeliak said if the Cardinals are not able to re-sign 1B Albert Pujols, the team will remain strong. Pujols will become a free agent following the World Series and could be in line for a record-setting contract. "We believe our pipeline [of young talent] is very strong, and so if this is an Albert-less club in the future, we still think we have a lot of positives coming. But there's no doubt he's been the identity of this organization for the past decade, and trying to just push one button or try to say you're not going to feel that loss would be very difficult to say, especially in this environment." Mozeliak was later asked about the task of having to try to re-sign both Pujols and manager Tony LaRussa, who has a mutual contract option with the Cardinals for '12. Mozeliak said, "It doesn't seem fair, does it?"
