Albert Pujols didn’t have to leave town to find a new team, with the Los Angeles Times reporting Saturday that the former Angels star has agreed to a major league contract with the Dodgers for the rest of the 2021 season.
Pujols, 41, cleared waivers on Thursday after being designated for assignment by the Angels last week.
The report said the deal wasn’t expected to become official until Monday.
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The Angels are on the hook to pay the rest of Pujols’ $30 million salary. The Dodgers would only be responsible for paying the 10-time All-Star a prorated share of the league minimum for the rest of the season.
In his 21st season, Pujols is batting just .198 and slugging .372 through 24 games with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
The first baseman/designated hitter has 3,253 hits, 667 homers and 2,112 RBIs during a career in which he won three National League MVP awards during 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. He joined the Angels after the 2011 season and was in the final season of a 10-year, $240 million contract.
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Pujols, considered a sure Hall of Famer, won World Series rings with the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011.
With the defending World Series champion Dodgers, he provides a right-handed bench bat and an experienced backup for first baseman Max Muncy.
–Field Level Media