Pujols wants Ramirez in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols thinks his team should pursue unsigned free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez.

The Dominican Republic natives are close friends and have spoken to each other frequently this off-season.

Pujols, the Cardinals' first baseman and the National League's MVP in the 2008 season, says their outfield is strong, but Ramirez is puzzled that no team has signed him.

"I speak with Manny every three days and he tells me, 'Man, no one wants to sign me,'" Pujols told reporters at a news conference in Santo Domingo Thursday. "I'm not an agent or general manager, but I can't understand how Manny has not signed."

Ramirez is among 90 unsigned free agents.

"For a variety of reasons it's just not prudent for us," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Ramirez, a 12-time all-star, has hit at least 35 home runs nine of the last 11 years with 100 RBI or more in 10 of those seasons.