Albert Pujols decided to trade playing time for a title shot, agreeing to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor league deal.
Baseball fans have spent the past week wondering where Albert Pujols was going to end up, or whether he had even played his last MLB game.
Turns out the legendary career will continue, and he didn’t even have to pack.
Yep- Albert Pujols is taking his talents to Chavez Ravine, and joining up with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two sides agreed to a minor league deal Saturday afternoon. A minor league deal that will certainly quickly translate into MLB at bats.
So why did this happen?
At first glance, it’s a fair question to ask on the part of the defending world champions. They’re….pretty good at the whole baseball thing as it is. But…they have had their fair share of injuries. First baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger has barely played this season. Now, AJ Pollock is looking at an IL stint of his own. Adding Pujols has the potential to create some upside bench depth, or boost the power potential of the lineup. Max Muncy has been playing a lot of first this season. The Pujols signing could free him up to give Justin Turner an off-day at third, or push Gavin Lux off of second.
Plus, even if his skills are in decline, the man brings a truckload of intangibles with him to the ballpark. Hard to imagine Dave Roberts not being thrilled at the possibility to have some of his younger players get to pick his brain the rest of the way, and deep into October.
For Pujols, well the advantages are pretty obvious. Nobody likes having to move.
Kidding, although getting to stay in Los Angeles probably can’t be dismissed entirely as a perk for Pujols here. No, this is about getting a chance to go out on top. Despite the injuries, the Dodgers are heavy favorites to repeat as world champions in 2021. Adding one more championship to an already Cooperstown caliber resume would be the storybook ending to his career.
Then again, this could be an extended tryout to show he’s worth keeping around in 2022 as a universal DH. Pujols does get to chase a championship this year…but he also gets to keep chasing 700 HRs.
Good move by both sides.