MLB Special - Los Angeles Angels and Albert Pujols: a recipe for success
Any person that has even the slightest inclination of following Major League Baseball during the off-season will know of the mega-deal that the Los Angeles Angels gave Albert Pujols to leave the St. Louis Cardinals and sign with them. Pujols was given a ten-year $254 million contract to play in the Los Angeles Angels’ franchise.
Although it was expected that Pujols would land a giant contract with some team sooner or later, the Angels really cashed in as not only did the acquire Pujols, but they also managed to sign pitcher C. J. Wilson to a five-year $77.5 million contract. In essence the Angels not only strengthened their batting, but also increased the depth of their pitching rotation.
During the 2011 MLB regular season, the Angels finished 10 games behind the mighty Texas Rangers winning 86 games and losing 76 in the American League West Division. In the off-season, the Angels began their quest to land some top quality players to bring some talent and strength into the roster. Critics were stunned as it was announced that Pujols and Wilson had both signed with the Angels with some mega-contracts.
Baseball pundits always criticise any team that decides to put all of their hopes and especially their money on the shoulders of one or two players. However, in this case if you look closely at what the Angels have managed to achieve in the off-season by acquiring star players is commendable. The main fact is how the Angels were financially astute to prioritise their payroll and make room for these mega-contracts. The Angels knew what they wanted and did not hesitate to go after it.
The addition of Albert Pujols will not only fill the stadium and draw more attention out west, but the player is no slouch. He is a tremendously talented hitter, capable of destroying any pitching line-up. Pujols’ career stats include 2073 hits, 445 home-runs, 1,329 RBIs and a batting average of .328. He managed to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to victory in the 2011 World Series Championship.
The best part of this deal is the fact that the Angels complimented his acquisition with that of star pitcher C. J. Wilson. In doing so, a good balance between offensive prowess and responsible defence is maintained. Wilson is coming to the Angels with career stats of 637 strike-outs, a 3.60 ERA, 52 saves and a win-loss record of 43-35. His pitching skills will compliment the slugging power of Pujols during the 2012 MLB regular season.
Angels’ fans cannot wait until the start of the regular season, as they are beginning to believe that their team has a great chance of making into the playoffs and quite possibly go all the way to the World Series. Now that Pujols has gotten the type of contract that he wanted, it will be interesting to see how well he manages to perform. The Angels will be looking for great things from him and the pressure is immense as he now has to live up to all the hype and expectations.
However, with a ten-year deal, Pujols has a great opportunity to mature even further and put up some big numbers for the Angels. His competitive spirit and the Angels desire to do what it takes to win is the perfect recipe for success. The excitement is building as the fans are waiting for some magic to happen.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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