On Wednesday, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa addressed comments by Jim Edmonds pertaining to the $10 million option year on the Gold Glove center fielder's contract. La Russa's thought: Edmonds should use his contract status as motivation rather than a source of distraction. "It's real straightforward," La Russa said before the Cardinals played the Cincinnati Reds in the third game of their four-game series. "It's there for the organization to determine if he's a $10 million player. It's straightforward. Jim's a pro. He's been around. I've got to believe he understands that. If he wants to earn that money next year through an option or as a free agent with somebody else, he's got to prove he's worth $10 million."