Favorable Sign? Albert Pujols' Restaurant Hosting Contract Watch Party Today

Here's a potential good omen for St. Louis Cardinals fans fretting over whether Albert Pujols will re-sign with the ball club prior to today's contract deadline.

KMOV (Channel 4) is reporting that the slugger's Westport restaurant, Pujols 5, opened its doors an hour early today (10 a.m.) for a contract watch party. Under terms set by Pujols and his agent, the Redbirds have until 11 a.m. to submit him an offer. Otherwise, they must wait until the end of the season at which point Pujols could become a free agent.

Yesterday Sports Illustrated reported that the Cardinals will offer Pujols $200 million over eight seasons.