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Why Albert Pujols Is Still Going To Join 700 HR Club

By Sean Millerick

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: A general view of a home run counter in centerfield for Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 06, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Pujols was released by the Los Angeles Angels ending a 10 year contract. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: A general view of a home run counter in centerfield for Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 06, 2021 in Anaheim, California. Pujols was released by the Los Angeles Angels ending a 10 year contract. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Albert Pujols might not have a team right now, but he’s still going to hit 700 HRs before he retires.

Albert Pujols is going to join the 700 HR club before he calls it quits on his legendary MLB career.

Plenty have seemed quick to throw dirt on that career since he was released by the Los Angeles Angels this past Thursday. But that just strikes me as ludicrous. Clearly, the man still believes he can play, and play often enough that it brought about the break with the Angels that it did.

The assumption seems to be that pride did some talking for Pujols, and that he refused to accept a part time role. And refusing to accept the part time role could be true- I just don’t buy for a second that pride was the driving factor in that reaction.

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This isn’t about pride. It’s about greed.

Not for money either. He’ll get plenty of that from the Angels just for existing. No, I’m talking about home run greed. If this former World Champion and future Hall of Famer still cares this much about playing at this point, it’s because he has his eyes set on joining baseball’s most elite club.  And there’s one reason above all it’s going to happen for him:

The universal DH.

No, that doesn’t currently exist in MLB in 2021. However, it is all but certain to exist in 2022.

This means that fifteen teams are going to need a DH next season. Chances are all fifteen of them won’t be competing for a World Series anytime soon. Why not make a low risk, high reward two year offer now to set yourself up as having a DH that fans will pay money to see as part of a record chase/farewell tour? Some team is going to be willing to roll the dice on that.

As for this season…it’s not like the man’s Nelson Cruz. He can still play his position competently enough. I still think the Brewers would be well served just making Albert Pujols their first baseman the rest of the way. Because it’s also not as if he wasn’t on pace to put up some decent home run totals anyway- he was on track for getting very close to the 700 mark this season.

Maybe he signs as soon as he clears waivers. Maybe he takes the rest of the year off to recharge. But he’s not going out like this.

Next. Where Will Pujols End Up?. dark

He’s going out as a member of the 700 HR club.

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