By Jordan Long
The Los Angeles Angels are currently 13-17, the worst record in the American League West Division. They trail the Oakland Athletics who are leading the Division by 4.5 games. The Angels decided to move on from 1st baseman Albert Pujols. They designated him for assignment, essentially cutting him. He was in the last year of his contract.
Pujols was the top name in MLB free agency in the winter of 2011. Many ball clubs showed interest because he was a future Hall of Famer. He had just spent 2001 to 2011 with the St. Louis Cardinals, establishing himself as one of the best 1st basemen in Major League Baseball. Los Angeles gave him a contract he couldn’t refuse. It was 10 years, worth $240 million or $24 million a year.
Los Angeles was hoping Pujols would help this team make the postseason and maybe become World Series Champions. Unfortunately, Los Angeles made the postseason just once with him, 2014. They were beaten in the Divisional Series by the Kansas City Royals.
This season has been one to forget for Pujols. He is showing his age at 41 and isn’t an everyday player anymore. In 86 at bats, he is hitting .198 with 5 home runs. Pujols has yet to hit a double or a triple.
Pujols hasn’t slowed down with his glove. He has started at 1st base 20 games this year. He was involved in 13 double plays and 8 infield assists. Pujols recorded two errors. Los Angeles decided that he is not a high-profile player anymore and it was time to move on from him.
According to ESPN, first year General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels, Perry Minasian, said, “ It’s more about opportunity. Albert is not a bench player. We felt like, for him, with respect to him, keeping him on the bench, him not getting any playing time, would not do him any good or the team any good.”
Pujols is now a free agent and can sign with any team. He can still play but not as an everyday player. If he chooses to keep playing, there are a few teams who could want him including the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals.
The White Sox make a lot of sense as a landing spot. Sure they have a first baseman in José Abreu but Pujols could be the backup to him. Pujols can also be the designated hitter. The White Sox Manager is Tony La Russa who Pujols played under when Pujols was in St. Louis from 2001 to 2011. La Russa knows how to manage him, even if it is just to be the DH and sometimes play 1st base.
The Yankees always take a chance on older players. Pujols is an athlete who may help them win games. The Yankees’ 1st baseman is Luke Voit who is dealing with surgery from a torn meniscus. He is playing rehab games with the New York Yankees minor league system. It could be a few weeks before he is back. Pujols at least fixes that need at 1st base until Voit is healthy enough to play at the big league level. Who knows how healthy Voit will be once he is in the New York’s lineup. Pujols gives them security to be the starting 1st baseman for New York for a while and he could split time with Voit if needed.
The St. Louis Cardinals make the most sense. That is where Pujols started his career. They already have an all-star at 1st base in Paul Goldschmidt. Pujols is showing signs he is not a starter anymore in this league. If he heads to St. Louis, he will be behind Goldschmidt. Pujols can come into games as a pinch hitter or when Goldschmidt needs a day off.
Pujols might also decide to retire. His next stop would be the Baseball Hall of Fame. Pujols deserves it because of his accomplishments in the game of baseball. Pujols won 2 Gold Gloves, 3 National League MVP’s, and was voted into 10 All-Star Games. He also has two World Series rings with the St. Louis Cardinals. He ranks 5th on the All-Time Home Runs list with 667. Pujols is even 14th in hits with 3,253.
Pujols will take his time to determine what his next baseball move is and listen to offers from other clubs. If there isn’t much interest, he is better off walking away from the game.
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