 On December 14, 2010, the Cardinals signed free agent catcher Gerald Laird to a one-year contract.On January 15, 2011, Albert Pujols, through his agent Dan Lozano, told the Cardinals that the date to report to Spring training (Feb. 18) was the deadline to reach a deal on a new contract.Negotiations failed to produce a deal, and on February 16 Pujols suspended negotiations, citing an unwillingness to be distracted during the season, including Spring training.