Charlie Manuel Hoping for New Phillies Deal Before Regular Season Begins

February 14 2011 Last updated at 02:16 PM ET

It's hardly a new trend, but not wanting to negotiate contracts during the season is all the rage these days.

Charlie Manuel is the latest to espouse that stance, though talks about the Phillies manager's next deal aren't quite as intense as those surrounding another 2011 lame duck, Albert Pujols.

"I'll call Pujols and ask him" for advice, Manuel told reporters Monday.

Unlike the Cardinals slugger, who has set a Wednesday deadline to complete a new deal, Manuel is willing to talk contract during spring training. He just doesn't want the process to drag into the regular season.

"Hopefully something happens in spring training," Manuel said. "My contract, I definitely don't want it to be a distraction for our team because I definitely put my team first. The players, that's why I get a contract. That's the whole purpose of me doing what I do."

Manuel is believed to be making about $3 million a year, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The top-paid managers, including Tony La Russa and Mike Scioscia, are thought to make more than $4 million annually. Manuel's work in Philadelphia certainly qualifies him to be paid as well as any of his peers, and there's little reason to anticipate any breakdown in negotiations.

Considering the guy who has led the Phillies to four consecutive NL East titles is likely making a bit more than the team will pay Danys Baez this season ($2.75 million) and a new contract likely would not see him exceed Ryan Madson's 2011 salary ($4.8 million), you have to believe something will get done.

soccer games soccer store sport games sports authority