Cardinals to pay Pujols $100 million

Slugger Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided arbitration in a big way, agreeing on a $100 million, seven-year contract Wednesday, a source told the Associated Press. Pujols was scheduled for a hearing Friday — he was asking for a $10.5 million salary and the team offered $7 million. Instead, the sides settled, according to the source, who was familiar with the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

An option for an eighth year could make the contract worth $111 million. The deal was contingent on Pujols taking a physical.

At 24, Pujols led the major leagues in hitting at .359 last year. He hit 43 home runs with 124 RBIs and topped the majors with 51 doubles. Pujols finished second behind Barry Bonds in voting for the NL MVP award. He made $950,000 last year.

Pujols has played only three full seasons, making him the fastest player to receive a $100 million contract. Colorado’s Todd Helton signed a $141 million extension in March 2001 after three-plus seasons in the big leagues.

“He called me to give me the good news early in the morning,” his aunt, Miriam Pujols, told the Associated Press in the Dominican Republic.

In three seasons, Pujols is hitting .334 with 114 homers and 381 RBIs.

Maddux returns to Cubs

Mesa, Ariz. — Bringing his career full circle, Greg Maddux is back home with Chicago Cubs.

Maddux signed a $24 million, three-year deal Wednesday, returning to the team that gave him his start in the big leagues. His return delighted Cubs fans, his new teammates — and Maddux himself.

“It’s a privilege to have the chance to come back and play in Chicago,” Maddux said at an evening news conference. “I spent nine great years here when I first started, and I never forgot that. I’m just glad this day has come again where I have a chance to come back and finish where I started.”

He’ll also have an opportunity to earn his 300th career win while wearing a Cubs uniform. He needs only 11 more victories to reach the mark.

Maddux will make $6 million this year and $9 million each of the next two seasons. But the Cubs can void the final year of the deal — with no buyout — if Maddux doesn’t pitch 400 innings over this season and next.

Boone has knee surgery

New York — Aaron Boone had reconstructive surgery on his left knee to repair an injury that will sideline him for most or possibly all of this season. The New York Yankees third baseman was operated on Monday in California by Anaheim Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum, said Boone’s agent Adam Katz.

Pierzynski beats Giants

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Catcher A.J. Pierzynski beat the San Francisco Giants in salary arbitration Wednesday and will get $3.5 million this season instead of the team’s offer of $2.25 million.

“I’m ready to get all this talk, all this arbitration stuff out the way,” Pierzynski said in a telephone interview Wednesday night. “The whole process is a long process. It’s not fun for either side. It’s nice to move on and have a decision and now try to win baseball games.”