Albert Pujols Move to the West Coast - Angels Spark Offseason (December 8, 2011)

During this dramatic offseason so far for baseball, an offseason merely dominated so far by the Miami Marlins, the Miami Marlins, and maybe the St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Pujols is the center of attention.  It appeared once again that these new Miami Marlins would yet again within a week of making three big acquisitions that they might have put a "purchased" stamp on probably the most prized after free agent out there Albert Pujols.  Pujols was offered 10 years and slightly above $200 million by Miami.  However the Marlins' signing of Mark Buerhle in recent days put a huge blunder on the road and the heavy intentions on obtaining an Albert Pujols diminished.  It was then obvious that Pujols would return to the St. Louis Cardinals, a team that he played for his whole career for 11 years and a team who improved their offer to 10 years for $220 million.  Pujols is coming off a year where his .299 batting average, 37 homers and 99 RBIs lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series Championship, second time in his career and second time for the team this decade.  However, Pujols made clear that he was mentally ready to leave his beloved team he has played for and move on.  The question was just "where".
   Late Wednesday, sources have talked about a third team possibly in the mix for "the Machine".  Well early Thursday morning, reports and breaking news rolled in that the L.A. Angels have swooped in and stole the crown in the major leagues this winter and it seemed just to be that.  Albert Pujols and the Angels agree on the terms on a huge 10 year, $250 million deal with a full no-trade clause which could have been the catalyst in his decision not to return to the Cards.  This mega deal puts Pujols at the top of the most-paid first basemens in the league and behind the most expensive contract in baseball: Alex Rodrigues-$275 million over 10 years. 

The Angels, a team that was sort of on the down low of things and Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto summarizing that the organization was going to walk away from the winter meetings in Dallas not making much happen in new acqusitions.  However shortly after the huge news of Pujols deciding to head west to  L.A., the team is not done and it is reported that the Angels have also agreed in terms of a 5 year, $77.5 million dollar contract for CJ Wilson.  The acquisition of these two players in the same morning have made the L.A. Angels the biggest news in baseball.  An offseason where the Marlins are making a buzz about their new owner, new stadium, new team, Jose Reyes and company, the Angels have signed the two biggest stars in the market, Albert Pujols arguably the best hitter in baseball right now, and CJ Wilson the best pitcher in the free-agent class this offseason.
   These two acquisitions highlight and deem big especially for the Angels.  Pujols will nestle in at first base as well as be the center and the third hitter in a lineup surrounded by Howie Kendrick and Torii Hunter.  Pitcher CJ Wilson will join an already formidable starting rotation featuring Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, and Dan Haren.  Adding CJ to the rotation would just solidify and put the Angels certainly as a top threat now in the West Coast Division.  The addition of Albert Pujols would certainly make the L.A. Angels a top contender in the American League.  All of a sudden teams would look at the Angels and no longer see them as a team that has lost steam especially in their starting lineup when guys like Chone Figgins and Hideki Matsui have dropped off and players such as Bobby Abreu and Kendry Morales have declined due to injuries.  This is a team that has certainly revamped itself, obtained the two most top star acquisitons, and created the biggest noise in baseball this offseason.

   What will this mean for the Cardinals?  How are fans in St. Louis reacting right now?  Obviously, baseball has changed and so has the strategy for teams still going about their holiday shopping this winter.


Until next time,
B.C.