Photo Credit: LA Times
When you are a baseball player, you have the opportunity to sign a contract unlike any other major sport. Baseball is one of the few sports that allows you to have a contract over 15 years and the money to sustain it. The end of an era has begun in Los Angeles. This year in his 10th season with the team.The decision marks the end of what was at the time one of the biggest deals in MLB history, and what has since become one of the biggest disappointments in MLB history.
During his time in Anaheim, Albert Pujols went from being the most feared hitter of his generation to a player barely being a replacement hitter. It’s hard not to watch Pujols’ decline and start believing that mega-contracts are a bad idea. To understand how those deals fare, you have to look at the whole landscape. Some deals are indeed disasters, but others are successes and some are just fine. The angels released a statement on the recent events last week stating, “The Angels Organization proudly signed Albert Pujols in 2011, and are honored that he has worn an Angels jersey for nearly half of his Hall-of-Fame Career Albert’s historical accomplishments, both on and off the field, serve as an inspiration to athletes everywhere, and his actions define what it means to be a true Superstar.” The statement went on and stated, “Since his Rookie of the Year Season in 2001, Albert and his wife Deidre, have generously given their time and resources to countless charities throughout the world. We are thankful to the entire Pujols Family.”
Once Pujols clears waivers and is released, the Angels will still owe him the remainder of his $30 million salary this year. He is also still due his 10-year, $10 million personal services contract that kicks in after the season. These services are things that can only happen when you are one of the top baseball players in the MLB. The three-time NL MVP for St. Louis was in the final season of a 10-year, contract with Los Angeles, but his determination was incompatible with the Angels’ desire to make everyday players out of first baseman Jared Walsh and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who have both significantly outperformed Pujols as two of the American League’s top hitters.
“Albert is not a bench player,” said Perry Minasian, General Manager of the LA Angels. “Him being on the bench would not do him any good, and would not do the team any good. Instead of putting him in a position that they would not have any use for they decided to let go of his contract.” He continued, “They should have let him go on his own terms, however from a business standpoint, it makes the most sense for him to relive his contract and let him end his career. He did not get the storybook ending that other players got, but he still had a great career.”
