Albert Pujols: Reaction to Dodgers signing former Angel

Albert Pujols didn’t have to move very far after his release from the LA Angels.

The two-time World Series Champion, Albert Pujols will be staying in Los Angeles and playing for the LA Dodgers.

Many thought that it would be best for Pujols to head to the American League, where he would have more chances to play more consistently with AL lineups batting a Designated Hitter.

Regardless, Pujols clearly was interested in an opportunity to play for a contender, and the Dodgers saw him as part of their potential plan.

The former three-time NL MVP returns to the National League, after he hit .198 in 24 games this year with the LA Angels. He had a rather disappointing 12 RBI this year with the Halos, along with a lackluster .250 on-base percentage.

The 41-year old is well past his prime, not putting together an All-Star campaign since 2015, and hasn’t hit .300 since his St. Louis Cardinals days, which ended in 2011.

It appears that the Dodgers are interested, however, due to the fact that they’ve been bit by the injury bug this year. It could be a nice idea for the Dodgers to try to make moves like this to build depth in case the injuries keep piling up.

Also, Pujols could provide some nice veteran leadership to a team seriously contending for a World Series again.

It was a little surprising that Pujols says that he had never said he wanted to play every day. The Angels had previously said the contrary when they released him. Jorge Castillo of the LA Times recapped what Pujols had to say about the situation:

As for Pujols, the all-time great slugger can potentially ride off into the sunset a champion.

It’s a chance to change the narrative on who he is as a player this year, and what he maybe has left in the tank.