Albert Pujols is signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, joining one of the best teams in MLB just days after his release by the Los Angeles Angels.
Pujols was designated for assignment on May 6, with Los Angeles granting the 41-year-old’s request to be released. The future Hall of Famer reportedly called out manager Joe Maddon, angered over not being an everyday player, leading to the organization parting ways with him.
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A 10-time All-Star selection and three-time NL MVP, Pujols received limited interest from a few teams. Ultimately, with no club offering him the opportunity to start, he opted to sign with the club that offered him the best chance at winning a third World Series title.
Across 24 games for the Angels this season, Pujols hit five home runs and contributed 12 RBIs. But the aging slugger also posted a .198/.250/.372 slash line and was losing at-bats to better hitters. In the final season of his 10-year, $253 million contract, Los Angeles finally moved on from one of its biggest free-agent busts.
Pujols will serve as a right-handed bat off the bench for the Dodgers. With multiple hitters on the injured list, Pujols should see a few at-bats every week. He currently has the fifth-most home runs (667) in MLB history, 29 behind Alex Rodriguez.
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