Pujols, who could become a free agent in the next off-season, suspended talks on a new deal with the Cardinals until the 2011 season is over after a self-declared deadline passed Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Dominican, who led the National League in home runs and runs batted in last year, said he put talks on hold to limit distractions in the upcoming campaign.
"Two sides didn't get together and get to an agreement," the slugging first baseman told reporters in Florida, according to Major League Baseball's official website (www.mlb.com).
"That's the way it goes. It's negotiation. You can't get disappointed. You know why? Because I still have another chance after the season, and maybe we'll get something done then."
The Cardinals retain exclusive negotiating rights with the nine-time All-Star until five days after the World Series.
"I have so much respect for this organization," he said. "They gave me the opportunity to play 11 years ago, and no matter what went down yesterday because we had that deadline, that doesn't mean that I'm not going to be a Cardinal.
"You have to put a deadline because you don't want to bring all this -- the distractions -- to the ballclub. We have a great team and our goal is hopefully to win a championship."
Pujols was seeking a 10-year deal worth about $300 million to put him in range of Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez for MLB's biggest contract, according to media reports.
He is entering the last season of an eight-year, $111 million deal that will earn him $16 million this year.
Pujols said he would stick to his decision to suspend contract talks until after the season.
"I won't reopen that during the season," he told a mob of reporters at the team's spring training camp in Jupiter, about 90 miles north of Miami.
"You don't want to bring this in spring training and during the season. It's a zoo. And I don't think my team mates deserve that.
"It's time to play the game right now."
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