A Look Back At 2012: Albert Pujols

Up next in a look back at 2012 is the prized free agent acquisition from last off-season in Albert Pujols. Pujols was the big fish in the free agent market that teams were after and the Angels came in and gave him a big 10 year contract.

September 16, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

Year one didn’t go exactly as he and the Angels had planned. The Angels missed the postseason and it seemed like it took a little while for the slugger to get comfortable. Pujols final overall numbers weren’t bad, but not like the numbers he has put up in the past. He finished with a .299/30/105 with a career low OPS of .859. It took Pujols over a month to hit a home run which is unusual for him.2012 Game Of The Year: Out of all the games, I’d probably pick his June 28^th performance in Toronto. Pujols went 4-5 with three runs scored and two doubles in the Angels 9-7 victory. Another game you could look at was his performance June 9^th in Colorado. In the Angels 11-5 win, he went 2-3 with a homer and four runs driven in.

2013 Outlook: This is the tricky call to make. If you look at his past three seasons one word in big bold letters comes to mind: REGRESSION. I actually think that Pujols will put up similar numbers to what he had this season. I think it took Pujols a little bit of time to get comfortable in Anaheim and adjust to a new league. Having Mike Trout hit ahead of him for a full season will certainly his numbers as well.