Few players were as beloved in their home park as Albert Pujols was in St. Louis. When he signed with the Los Angeles Angels, it was a shock, as virtually everyone expected Pujols to retire as a Cardinal. However, as the Angels handed him a ten year, $240 Million contract, it was understandable as to why he would depart for the West Coast.
A perennial All-Star and MVP candidate with the Cardinals, Pujols was no longer the same player with the Angels. He has made just one All-Star Game, and has not finished higher than 17th in the MVP ballot. Those Silver Slugger awards and Gold Gloves have disappeared as he battled with plantar fasciitis over the past few years.
While Pujols has still been a reasonable power hitter, he has averaged just 23 home runs per season during his time in Los Angeles. His overall batting line, .264/.324/.474, is still good enough for an OPS+ of 124, but that is a far cry from the type of production that one expected from Pujols when he was signed. However, as he is 36 years old and moving further away from his prime, that 124 OPS+ might be the best that the Angels can realistically hope for.
Albert Pujols has been a great player, and appears destined for enshrinement in Cooperstown. Yet, the fact remains that this contract has not been what the Angels has hoped for.
Next: A shadow of his former self