Cardinals manager Tony La Russa isn't worried about negotiations with first baseman Albert Pujols on a contract extension. "I can't feel better about Albert," La Russa said. "If he was on a day-to-day contract or a 10-year contract, Albert, he answers to higher motivational powers. And he's going to be ready to play. He's got too much pride. He's too committed. So it's not going to affect Albert at all. My excitement as a manager having Albert on the team has nothing to do with the length of his contract or the size of his contract." La Russa also said that he's stayed out of the process entirely, not asking either side how things are going. "In this case here, I am not going to ask ownership and the front office," he said. "I'm not going to ask Albert. I'm not going to say a thing. I know what's going on -- they both want to make a deal. Let them work on it, and when they have some kind of resolution, we'll find out what it is. But I'm not going to ask one question of any of those parties. Just let them go about it."