MLB Betting: Albert Pujols $250 Million Deal with the Los Angeles Angels
Thursday, December 08, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, a St. Louis icon, is a Cardinal no more: Pujols has shocked the baseball world by reportedly agreeing to a 10-year, $250 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels – the Halos weren’t even rumored to be in the Pujols sweepstakes early on but must have been that “mystery” team outside of known bidders the Marlins, Cardinals and Cubs.
It was thought Pujols would be heading back to St Louis Cardinal after the Marlins pulled their 10-year, $220-million offer to the slugger Wednesday. The Cardinals had offered Pujols nine years and more than $200 million. But the Angels, who missed out on free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira after the 2009 season and outfielder Carl Crawford and Adrian Beltre after 2010, swooped in Wednesday night with their offer, and Pujols decided to accept.
The 31-year-old three-time National League MVP would be a first-ballot Hall of Famer even if his career ended today with .328 average, .420 on-base percentage, 445 home runs and 1,329 RBIs. He did have a down season by his standards in 2011, hitting .299 with 37 homers and 99 RBIs.
The Angels badly needed a bat as they ranked 10th in the American League with 667 runs last season. L.A. has a good young first baseman in Mark Trumbo, but he likely is ticketed for the outfield now (maybe third base) and it probably means the end of Kendry Morales’ once-promising but injury-ravaged career with the Angels. Ten years is awfully risky to give a guy who is soon-to-be 32 like Pujols, but by playing in the American League he can move to DH in the latter stages of his career.
Earlier Thursday it was also reported the Halos signed top free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson. Adding Pujols and Wilson would appear to make L.A. the favorite in the AL West now ahead of the two-time American League champion Rangers, who lost Wilson and have been quiet thus far.
As for the Cardinals, maybe they now target Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder, who is younger than Pujols and had a better season in 2011. Or maybe now the Rangers go after Fielder.
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adrian beltre - albert pujols - c.j. wilson - carl crawford - kendry morales - los angeles angels - mark teixeira - mark trumbo - prince fielder - st louis cardinal
