Free Agent Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10 year, $250 Million deal with the Los Angeles 
Angels of Anaheim. The Angels were never thought to be a player and many thought the ex St. Louis Cardinals slugger would wind up back with the Red Birds. This morning Prince Albert signed the deal to play for the Halos, who suddenly have a legitimate shot at the World Series. Combine Mike Trout, Peter Bourjos, Mark Trumbo, Ervin Santana, Jeff Weaver, Dan Haren and Torii Hunter with the best player in baseball and I like their chances.
Pujols’ contract apparently includes a full no trade clause and is some $60 Million more than the Cardinal’s latest offer which reportedly was for nine years and a little less than $200 million. It’s insulting to the game’s best player to offer less than $200 Mil and honestly I’m a bit surprised he didn’t get more given his potential impact on a city, and jersey sales. With Kobe Bryant fading from relevancy out in LA, Prince Albert could have a chance to be the top sports figure in the nation’s second largest city.
I love the deal and can’t wait to see Prince Albert team up with the top prospect in the game in Mike Trout and the top trio of pitchers in the game. There’s no word yet on how the deal affects Kendrys Morales/Mark Trumbo but one has to imagine that one of the two of them will be asked to play some third base or Right Field. Morales played in 7 games at 3rd in 2005 and a few games in Right in 2008. Trumbo played 22 games in Right as early as 2010. Let’s just say it’s a good problem to have. Additionally, I’m just thinking out loud here, what are the odds Albert moves over to third base? He’s played 380+ games there as a Major Leaguer.
The Angels got Pujols despite the fact that he’s hit just .226 against them. This average represents Pujols’ third lowest against any single team in the majors. Fun stuff.
Congratulations Angels. And Congratulations Albert, I hope you like Los Angeles as much as you liked St. Louis.
-Sean Morash
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