The Dodgers came to an agreement with Albert Pujols over an eventful weekend. To further make the weekend eventful, Corey Seager fractured the fifth metacarpal in his right hand. He’ll be out for at least a month. The Dodgers will have to move Max Muncy to another part of the infield and Albert Pujols will get more playing time than I would have thought possible.
The Angels designated Noέ Ramirez for assignment in order to clear roster space for Hunter Strickland, who the Angels acquired from Tampa Bay for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Also part of the eventful weekend, the Angels managed to avoid being swept by Boston. Josέ Rojas almost took out a fan or two while we were in Boston.
Shohei Ohtani’s next start has been pushed back to Wednesday due to fatigue.
Links From Around Baseball
COVID-19 is really going around the Yankees clubhouse. Now they have selected Ryan LaMarre.
The Rays designated Kevan Smith for assignment.
The Angels aren’t the only team struggling defensively. Tempers seem to be fraying a little bit in Philadelphia.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi
Albert is due the amount of this year’s contract less min wage (MLB’s) paid by the Dodgers, what have they got to lose, nothing.
Prorated minimum
Angels will pay all but $410,000 of $30 million.
Got to love Alberts play on words. I never said I want to play 1st base everyday but never mentioned being a DH, the combination off the 2 would have made him an everyday player, right. So he did want to be an everyday player but not at 1st base. He wanted Ohtani’s at bats as an everyday player
Jelly much Hombre?
Albert starting tonight at 1B and batting 4th. The great experiment begins!
SMFH. You know player’s bellyached about how we treated Slo-Mo and now 2 teams will see what we saw, but for years.
Watch him get fed some fat and juicy with a side order of bloop with bobbles
9 saves in 17 tries, so that is how good our bullpen is, yikes.
Did DFAing Albert void his 10 year post playing contract?
Do we still pay him for that?
Yes he is owed that money and they gave him a one lump sum as is usually done. Since the parting was mutual the Angels negotiated that end of the deal. Apparently though signing with the Dodgers proved his attachment to SoCal.
Source?
No source is needed, that is what any Company or business would have handled it.
Not that Albert would bad mouth the Angels, but you do not want any bad publicity or he said/she said put out there. Paying him off avoids any further issues.
I take the deal as, a free $1M a years after you retire, and Arte Moreno doesn’t like to give away unearned money, so Albert will earn it when he retires by showing up for a day at ST/Opening Day/ Old Timers Day/ Angels HoF Day/ Etc, etc.
Albert would not get this for free, and it was a deal signed as a service contract, thinking, Albert would do what they ass-u-me-d he would do, and retire when it was time to.
GPB – the personal services contract was separate from the 10 year/250M contract to play baseball.
By the way both contracts are still valid as is evidenced by the fact that Albert will collect his full salary (minus approximately the major league minimum) from the Angels. So that contract is still in effect – it’s just Albert is excused from his performance under that contract.
The separate personal services contract also remains intact. Either side can enforce it. Or they could mutually agree to waive performance and tear it up.
Nothing about the DFA nor the signing with the Dodgers affected anything other than Albert being allowed to play elsewhere while being paid by the Angels.
OK, you are Arte and this Albert thing goes down. Either through Albert or his Agent do you want this 10 million dollar thing hanging around to cause you grief? No so you negotiate out of it. The dollars each year are less value. You don’t want this situation to fester, have someone say the wrong thing at an inappropriate time, nor do you want Albert to feel slighted in any way in the next ten years, so that’s why you cut ties.
Arte waits it out, hoping for Albert to default on the contract.
The contract is full of some of Arte’s favorite things. Words.
He doesn’t care about SoCal, his signing with the Dodgers was a big FU to Arte and Carpino.
No, it only applies after he retires, I believe. So still intact.
It was unfinished business and it would have been taken care of as Albert had no value to the Angels any longer. He was paid off as that is just good business and there will be no attachments to the team going forward.
While I didn’t see anything written on this topic, I think your take is correct, Gramps. There will be no “services” offered yet the payment will still take place.
Grandpa- I think you may be wrong. The personal services contract was separate and started after retirement. To my understanding it is still valid and in place. It wouldn’t surprise me if Albert came back as a coach or some other capacity.
“Pujols’ contract includes a 10-year personal services contract that was seen at the time as a lifetime commitment by the player and the Angels for life after his retirement. It is worth $10 million, and it is an option he has to accept after retirement. That element of his contract with the Angels continues with them regardless of when he retires, or the team he’s on before retiring. He can decline that contract too.”
Link
It would be interesting to see what is required in his 10-year personal services contract. Appearances, casino greeter type stuff, in the community? Or is this on of those once a year water board meetings where you get money for nothing.
…..chicks for free.
Correct
Gramps reveals his character by accepting a bench role for the Doyers, which he wouldn’t for the team that gave him $250,000,000 which he didn’t come close to earning. I am so very glad he’s gone.
Pretty sure he had the delusion of being an every day player still. When the Angels released him and his only offers were bench roles he had to accept reality.
And WS potential on the Doggers.
Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) Tweeted:
Pujols said the Angels made a “business decision” and that there’s no hard feelings at the end of the day. Said it was just the conversation and he’s moved on from it.
https://twitter.com/FabianArdaya/status/1394391970273923072?s=20
Really Fabian??? Everything I have read up until today is that the Machine blew a fuse, threw a rod, and had a meltdown. Why do you have the “real news” today?
Fabian is now covering the Dodgers.
I noticed Fabian took down his award winning reporting on the Tyler Skaggs No-hitter that has headlined his twitter page for almost 2 years. Doyer Fans don’t give a shit about the Angels grieve and the work of the divine.
If the Athletic doesn’t replace him soon I’m cancelling my subscription. I still think this move was done to cut costs over at the big Athletic Supporter. Fabian copy editor quit at the same time he moved on to the Latrine.
He’s just spinning M’ang……
Ha ha. Fate is funny.
It turns out that Seager has a broken wrist and will miss 6 weeks !!!
Albert may be getting more AB’s than we originally thought.
More chances for GIDP!!
Every throw to first is a bad hop.
Albert at first, Muncy at second, not a great defensive infield.
It’s Dave’s Dodgers. When does Albert find himself somewhere besides at first base? Does he get inserted at second base, and lead off batter anytime soon?
Need to find where Tonya’s pipe is at.
For that you will need to contact a Mr. Gillooly.
Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) Tweeted:
Angels prospect Kyren Paris started his season by going 0-for-5 with five strikeouts; since then he has reached base 24 times in 49 plate appearances (.490 OBP) while stealing 10 bases and scoring 11 runs
https://twitter.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1394252063064805378?s=20
Can he Pitch?
Not sure but his agent is ghosting me now after a couple of weeks of promising to set up an interview.
KP replies to my messages but the agent is lagging.
I noticed that KP also likes to retweet to his adoring fans his own highlights that the 66ers media sends out . Maybe I’m on old fogey but I thought that was a little questionable. I guess the world has a new definition of what modesty and humility are?
Pitching is for suckers. Getting 3 outs is too hard.
Score More Runs. I say outscore the M F’ers!
18th – MLB Team On Base %12th – MLB Team Runs per GameLast – MLB Team Walks per Game14th – MLB Team Left On Base per Game
Offense has room for improvement. The the nightly 1 inning spasm of runs doesn’t help the Claud – Horshack – Sludgers trio. Get these guys some runs, might relax and suck less.
At the Angels, we only ask for two outs, then it is open season for the opposing batters.
I’m definitely using “Horshack”
Official now, and Pujols is wearing 55.
Well now, does that mean he is going to be twice as bad?
No, he’s admitted his age finally.
On the 25 man roster yet?
he has risen
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/roster
According to Roster Resource he has been added to the 40 Man but it has not been determined yet how he will be added to the 26 man as they still show 28 players in the 26 spots. The Doyers also picked up Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Rays so they are 2 roster moves behind.
https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/dodgers
Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) Tweeted:
Looks like he’s 55 now. Corey Seager is 5.
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1394362066719420417?s=20
he’ll wear 555 when he joins the Tigers after he’s dropped by the Dodgers. And then 5555 when he signs the one day contract in September with the Cardinals. Ok, after checking I see no one on St. Louis currently has #5 so Pujols will wear 5 for that one day.
To match his age.
+1 … 55 … YEARS old 😀
Not the Red Rocker anymore.
Wouldn’t pay Corey for #5 I see.
I hope you don’t pile on me for this, but It would not shock me if Trout had anxiety disorder. The signs are there if you know where to look. In reflection, going through this depression without Pujols might be good for him to build some resiliency. Again, Pujols sucks and has sucked for like 6 years. We all know that. But his personality, for better or worse, was outsized and clearly in charge of the org. Trout has to grow and deal with his demons. He’s the only one who still looks mopey and out of sorts. But he has to learn how to do that individually. Unfortunately the season is basically over for 2021, but for the remainder of his career. I just don’t think the culture exists in the org , so he has to one to create it. I think that’s why Perry pushed for this because any time waiting for Pujols to leave was time wasting on Trout to be the next man up. They need someone with the tools to teach him because Pujols did not pass it or Trout could not acquire them
I won’t comment on the anxiety disorder since there’s really no way we would know unless we’re in his head, but I disagree that 2021 “is basically over”.
They can win 10 in a row and still be a solid 3-4 behind Oakland and Houston. They could go 7-3 on this 10 game homestand and still be under .500. With Bundy regressing to the mean , no bullpen and all the SP below MLB average they don’t have more than one long winning streak. It’s over .
his body language is shit. not sure if that’s because of the pujols situation, his personal slump, or the overall play of the team. it could be all of it nor non of it… optics arent good tho, he looks like he would rather be anywhere else than here.
because of his contract
I suspect it’s selective attention or one of those cognate terms from Kahneman on my part, but it seems like EVERY time ESPN puts out an article on the unparalleled greatness of Trout, he suddenly slumps. The latest case is STILL up at ESPN.com, on how “Is he somehow even greater than ever this season?” and how his dad predicted it, etc. Since that article, he’s been hitting about .160
Every player goes through slumps. Mantle, Mays, Gehrig, Ruth, Williams – they all went through slumps. So I’m not worried about Trout. He always comes through them just fine.
The timing of this slump was odd as it started right after the Pujols dfa. But it also was a road trip that included stops at two parks where Trout rarely has success.
For the record, I have anxiety disorder so it’s not an attack just an observation . I hope he gets support. You can be extremely high functioning , but that doesn’t mean you don’t lose concentration or energy to be at your peak
Well then that settles it. PTP needs to get on the phone with Detroit immediately and put a deal together for Miggy. That will get the GOAT all jacked up for the rest of the season
Can the be BFF? That is the issue here. Mike had Daddy for baseball, then came Albert. Mike is dependent on a father figure at all times.
The Kiiiiiiid is turning 30 in August. Its time he steps up and takes a real leadership role.
I’m worried (because I am a worrier) that Trout’s first 10 years will be like Albert’s first 10 years with the Cards…we have had his best already.
Do your friends call you whiskers?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQDqRlMeJ4U
Anyone know what is going on with Ty Buttrey? I know it was strange he just up and retired after ST… but he’s still occupying a 60-man roster spot. Perhaps the team thinks he’s going through some personal stuff and doesn’t want to give up on him yet, possibly losing him to another org? 40-man says he’s in the minors, but obviously he isn’t pitching there as of now.
The whole Pujols saga makes me realize just how precious each and every roster spot is, and how/why guys have them. Essentially operating with 39 spots when holding his doesn’t help the team with options.
Ty is dealing with Major Depression and does not want to Baseball at this time.
Probably keeping him on the 60 man for medical reasons at the time of his diagnosis.
LA media is fawning over Pujols and it’s petty funny. That high will change fast.
Doug McKain
@DMAC_LA
·
May 15
It’s going to take time for Albert Pujols to adjust to playing professional baseball in Los Angeles, but this could turn out to be a brilliant move for the #Dodger
Los Angeles Times
@latimes
·
May 15
Hernández: Why the Dodgers’ decision to sign Albert Pujols makes a lot of sense
Los Angeles Times
@latimes
·
May 15
Commentary: With Albert Pujols on Dodgers, one of baseball’s greats gets another title shot
Los Angeles Times
@latimes
·
May 15
Albert Pujols on the Dodgers?
On the surface, it might not seem to make a lot of sense, but the Dodgers have plenty of reasons to sign a player like him, writes columnist @dylanohernandez
So… I had no idea just how many injuries the Dodgers were dealing with. They’ve got 5 guys on the 60-day IL, in addition to Bellinger, McKinstry, Pollock and now Seager down. Unless Seager is getting moved to the 60-day IL, who are they cutting in order to give Pujols a roster spot?
Anyone know how long a team has from when they sign a player to when they have to put him on the 40-man roster? Media was reporting Pujols deal in place on Saturday about 3pm local time… Seager’s freak injury happened a few hours later during their Saturday night game, so that was obviously not the reason they looked at bringing in Pujols. So here we are, almost 48 hours later and the team hasn’t confirmed the deal nor has Pujols even been placed on their 40-man. Weird…
It would be pretty hilarious if the deal falls through because the Dodgers need a more reliable infield option to replace Seager.
This is indeed an interesting development. As we all know now, Albert is down to just one skill–mashing an occasional mistake from a pitcher. He can’t run, he can’t field, and is a luxury that only a team with a lot of positional flexibility can afford. Normally, sans injuries, Dodgers are such a team. But if they have to slot in their multiposition ppl like Taylor etc into daily lineup, do they still have the luxury of keeping one trick pony like Albert on their roster? I still think the positional inflexibility was ultimately the reason we had to part ways with Albert.
Well he is now (as in just happened) officially a Dodger and on their active roster. I think if it wouldn’t have been a PR nightmare they would have backed off from the deal. It will be very interesting to see how he does. I predict a few good moments but a lot of problems and that he may be cut when the Dodgers gets their key players back.
Yup. I wonder how much PR benefit they could reap if Pujols either unproductively takes up their roster spot while they have to struggle to stay afloat against Pads and Giants or if they have to let him go soon to make room for more versatile bench options. We shall see.
Albert can play shortstop. Just ask him
Well, I mean, technically the deal could be “in place” but not actually signed. I assume Pujols has to be placed on the 40 in a reasonable time, but all reports indicated that this wouldn’t happen until Monday, which meant to me that the Dodgers wouldn’t officially sign him until Monday.
The 40 man issue was settled today. Gonsolin (no relation to Phil) was moved to the 60 day IL. I suspect the Doyers will want him back sooner than later so this move buys them +/- a couple of weeks .
But they are close
I find it funny that all the LA media have the Dodgers as winning the World Series this year with ease. I think the Padres and Giants will have something to say about that.
A lot of Dodgers people still think that the Padres are simply a media sensation.
Laughable, he certainly will pop a homer ever so often but it’s the “in betweens” that are just painful. Not that I care but if they put Muncy at second to get Puljos some ABs at first, that is a real attention deficit disorder on the subject of defense.
I see in the various articles that have a video attached, all have Pujols hitting a homerun and none have him hitting into a double play where he’s 2/3rds of the way to 1st base.
Just hold on a sec about Pujols…
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/corey-seager-hand-injury
This was from yesterday after their game. The Dodgers have not confirmed the deal. Hmm.
You know with that Division, the Dodgers may want to see if there’s another bat available. They now need a legit bat to replace Seager and they know Pujols isn’t it. It’s possible they will look to see who is available before pulling the trigger and relying on a guy they know is unreliable. In other words the Seager injury may affect the completion of the Pujols deal.
True. I see they brought in Tsutsugo from Tampa. If he takes an OF spot, Chris Taylor comes back to the infield, Muncy stays put at 1B… no more room for Albert. Waaaah waaaaah.
Let’s face it, Pujols would be a low cost PR signing with little upside other than the ocassional focus of the press when he hit a HR. It’s one thing to give up a roster spot with an otherwise loaded team. But now with Seager out, the Dodgers face some adversity in a division with San Diego and San Fran. It’s possible that roster spot becomes unavailable as a result. Not saying that will happen – only that it’s a possibility.
For the Dodgers to reap the benefits of the PR move, they need to keep Pujols on their roster and give him some playing time. Can they afford to? If Pujols winds up ignomiously ditched again soon b/c Dodgers need more versatile bench options, I’m not going to be surprised.
😂
“No low ballers I know what I got.” Lmao.
Albert won’t sign unless playing time is described out in the contract. Playing time such as when playing the American League he is the DH. In addition to one or two starts a week at 1B. Starting all games in St. Louis. etc.
Pretty typical for a team to wait to announce until the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed.
I’m just wondering if the Seager injury changed the roster dynamic and the Dodgers are getting cold feet about signing Pujols. I dunno. For a veteran to sign a simple minimum deal for the rest of the season and the team to take more than 24 hours to officially announce? Strange. Maybe there’s a hang up in his physical?
Maybe also because I’ve soured so much on Pujols since he clearly didn’t want to accept a bench role here… I just want to see him humiliated by another team now.
I could see that they signed him, Albert taking the weekend to get some hitting in somewhere private, not needing a minor league assignment, plans to join them this week. Insert Seagar injury.
The announcement and then no Albert sightings almost three days later? Maybe FO and PR is working to make sure it’s handled properly, don’t want to piss off Big Papi…or they are re-evaluating roster, put him on hold at the alternate site.
“Show me the birth certificate Albert.” Dodgers FO
Does he have to pass a physical?
“Okay Albert, this is a mere formality…but we want to see you run from the batter’s box to 1st in less than 9 seconds. Okay….GO!”
Doc: “Now, breathe.”
Hombre: “In? Or out?’
Doc: “Just.”
Dodgers: “WELLLLLLL? We’re waiting.”
Hombre: [Weeeeeeeezeeeeee]
Doc: [Head nod]
Dodgers: “Sign here?”
After reading that article on the Dodgers injuries I remember back in ’15 when for season after season the injury bug helped to giving us losing seasons since.
I think we all need to get over Albert Pujols. The guy is on his last leg as far as being a baseball player is concerned. Angels need to go with the young guys if they ever plan on improving this organization in the future.
I do agree with you that the Angels need to move playing time to their younger players to possibly improve. But we as fans have been putting up with Pujols’ horrid play for over 4 years now… taking at bats and focus away from other player options. We’ll “get over” Pujols when we’re ready. It’s taken this long for the team to FINALLY make this move, so we do get a little time to celebrate/lament or perhaps gloat as he clogs the basepaths with dozens of GIDPs across town.
Some players just don’t know when it is time to give it up.
Yeah, agree. As someone who roundly supported and loved rooting for Pujols up until 2017, it’s taken a few years for me to get to this point of not really giving a crap about him. So I suppose I’m more interested in what’s going on with him right now because I want to see him get smacked with a heavy dose of reality in his face. Maybe moreso because he made it clear he wasn’t going to be a bench player and fade out gracefully this year. Glad the Angels cut him and his massive ego. Wasn’t happy they carried him this long, but still… reducing his playing time and putting him in situations/spot starts where he had the best chance to succeed would have been satisfactory.
Looks like J-up is next, if he doesn’t start hitting well by June/July… there’s Marsh and Adell seasoning it up down in SLC. Can’t see him holding a roster spot too much longer if he isn’t producing positive value and/or is blocking a young kid.
That is why I respected a player like Tim Salmon. Who knew when it was time to hang up the cleats.
One more HR would have been great
I appears that Marsh has already surpassed Adell on the depth chart. He can play any of the 3 outfield spots at a high level including a plus throwing arm. Has plus speed and instincts on the base paths and has shown the ability to take a walk ( in fact I think he actually likes to) In 19 PA’s this year he has 6 Walks with 6 strike Outs . So at this rate give him 2 to 3 weeks ?
I would like that!
That is something in Spyville we have known since last season. Has anyone actually looked at Bandon’s swing? No need to compare swings to any other player, in the whole league, just look at Brandon’s swing.
From 2019: https://twitter.com/i/status/1184134301287374862
J-Up will be here for the remainder of his contract.
“Jeeze Perry! How many people do I need to pay to not play, on YOUR team?” Someone we all know
Most. But also, most don’t have these credentials that Albert is ruining by keep on keeping on. babe Ruth did this, so I guess it’s the right thing to do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
eight years
I’m still not over the heinous hideousness of Josh Hamilton.
Mr. Moreno???
Had an interesting thought. Who is the clubhouse leader on this team? The guy who gives the team toughness and grit? To me it seems it is made up of mostly quiet individual types – more the introverted types. Certainly Trout isn’t a fire 🔥 type guy and neither is Ohtani or (from what I see) Rendon or Fletch. Certainly Upton is NOT that kind of leader. And I don’t think Suzuki is either.
In my view, successful clubhouses have players who give the team a toughness/refuse to lose attitude. In 2002 there was Erstadt and Percival. 1986 there was Grich and Reggie. 1979 there was Ryan and Baylor. Weaver was that kind of clubhouse presence for sure.
This team may have lost that player in Dexter Fowler. They certainly have not played with the same intensity since he was lost to injury.
Clubhouse chemistry and personality is a real thing over a long season. I wonder if there is an intangible missing from this club. For example – think of all the Angel hitters who have been hit by pitches with no retaliation. Opposing pitchers are pitching way inside on these guys without any fear.
This team needs some grit/toughness in my opinion.
Wonder if Pujols did that at all? Other than Weaver, I’m not sure who the last guy would have bee to fit this bill?
I think Pujols is too much about Pujols to be that guy. My suspicion is that Dexter Fowler was that kind of clubhouse presence.
Weaver is exactly what this team needs.
I think you’re right Jessica. Albert did fill that role. Of course, previously it was Torii and he had undisputed leadership qualities. Then he butted heads with Albert etc. I suspect Albert felt threatened by the fact that Torii was a natural leader and other players looked up to him as such. Not to say that Albert was not a leader of sorts, but I think Torii was clearly the spiritual leader in everything he brought on and off the field. He did fire people up, that is for sure.
Torii is the type of player and personality I’m referencing. Exactly!
Pujols is not that guy.
Torii Hunter had the fire.
I totally agree Fan. It is true that “clubhouse chemistry and personality is a real thing over a long season.” I loved Torii for that reason. Not only was he a great player, but you couldn’t find a better leader than him. He was fiery and intense but he also knew how to lighten the mood and had a great sense of humor. He struck the perfect balance.
Now that Albert is gone I think this will naturally fall on Mike. Though he has previously not shown an inclination to be a leader in this way, it is possible that he can grow into it. In fact, I expect Mike to do this and I have already seen small signs that he is taking on more of the role of a team leader. The team leader does not have to be the best player on the team, but it very frequently is. Mike has become more demonstrative on the field and I think he will become more vocal behind the scenes. The time is right for Mike to grow as a leader. The time is now.
Great question, I think by default it is Trout. Even if he is not vocal, he is the best player and is revered by his teammates. Now, he may not like that role and is just not the type to get into any verbal sparring with the opposition and lean on the staff to throw inside. Not sure how much we know how vocal Mike with his teammates.
I never looked at Albert being that guy, he was far away from the press and making public commentary about his team or the other one. Never saw him go after the opposition. While he thought of himself as the leader, never saw toughness on the field. Never walked the walk.
I agree with the last two bullets for sure. I’ve been squabbling this is my posts over the last few weeks and even back last year. I miss the Don Baylor, Weaver and Percival types. Lackey had some toughness and Hunter was a solid spokesman who never shied away from making statements. Erstad was a grinder and had toughness too but was not a guy to get in the others team face when we needed it.
Baylor was intimidating big time and was excited to see Scioscia bring him back to coach before he had that freak injury. RIP.
We severely need “toughness and fire.”
Yes – the team needs toughness and fire badly. As much as I love Trout, I just don’t think he’s that guy. It has to be genuine- cannot be faked.
Player like Walsh and maybe Marsh has a chance to be that guy.
Something tells me as Walsh gain confidence he will become both Clubhouse and on field leader and fire up the troops.
Agree that it has to be genuine. But people CAN change. They can grow. I would not give up on Trout as a leader…
Baylor was a great leader. A true leader. He was the “quiet” type of leader, and he proved there is such a thing.
He feared no one but had a great heart. He led by example and backed down from no one.
He was my first favorite Angel; my first baseball hero.
So, posted in the GDT yesterday, but a bit more…
Spent the weekend in NYC instead of going to the game(s) in Boston. A bit bummed, but had a great time there with the family. Decided to take the kids to the American Museum of Natural History (as seen in Night at the Museum, a favorite of our 8 year old’s movies) and ran into Arte in front of it. Super crazy timing, as we had to go around to the 77th st entrance instead of the central park facing one due to our stroller which is when we saw him. He didn’t have his mask on at the time and I noticed him look at my Angels hat, then wasn’t sure what if I knew it was him but I was all, Arte? and he said it was him (and his wife). Was so crazy, even my wife recognized it was him since we met them 9 years ago at ST. Talked for maybe 2 minutes, found out he was in the Army as an infantryman during Vietnam, and how we’re from SoCal/AZ but in the Army stationed out in MA but moving to OK (he knew about Fort Sill, which is where we’re going next). Real friendly conversation, nothing about the team at all really. We said we’re vaxxed, he said him and his wife were too. Asked if we could get a photo and he was perfectly fine with it, maskless, and his wife took the photo for us. Thanked him, said good luck with the team, fist bumped and he was off to get his Uber lol.
https://twitter.com/brentschmidt/status/1394119601420742658?s=20
Well that’s quite the random chance encounter. In NYC of all places.
Land is cheap/available right now
Very cool! He is generally really easy to talk to. Always chatting us up at Spring Training or I also walked alongside him from his car to the front gates once.
I expect Albert will have a few big moments right off the bat, kinda like how he performed well in St. Louis when he wanted to.
How long that lasts given their injury/depth situation will be interesting to watch. But knowing the Angels, it just feels like one of those things where we’ll get dunked on when he hits a HR or something.
And make no mistake, he WILL hit a HR or two. However, as we all know, with Albert you take the bad with whatever good there is (in recent years very little) and that means GIDP. With Seager out I suspect Albert will get more playing time intially than many expect as Muncy will likely be playing 2B.
If the Dodgers used him primarily as a pinch-hitter I think he would be okay, but I don’t think they’ll do that. They will have to suffer his defense and of course his horrible baserunning.
Seeing my previous post/rant I made about Albert a few days ago… I assumed at some point he might get a shot if some team had a rash of injuries and just needed someone to fill in for a few weeks/months at the DH/1B slot. Honestly quite surprised the Dodgers signed him this quickly but now knowing their IF situation I can see why I suppose. And this move was made before Seager went down as well. Geez. Pujols’ ego is going to get a huge boost here, but the only reason he’s sniffing the field was that temporarily the Dodgers ran out of options.
Just wait till his defense costs a couple games and he’s leading the NL in GIDP.
It should not be lost that this is the Dodgers intentionally showing up the Angels. This is an inexpensive PR stunt to show the baseball world what a ‘class’ organization does with aging superstars. This is a highly atypical Dodger signing which is how you know it’s partly PR. If it was not for the major league minimum it would not have happened.
The funny thing is all those Dodger fans who were booing Pujols will now cheer for him like he is the 2nd coming. As Jerry Seinfeld says, the only difference is the laundry that he is wearing.
Yeah, I thought that too when I saw it. Totally agree. The Dodgers would never sign a guy like this baseball-wise. They just did it to show up the Angels, right or wrong. Either way, screw em both. All the more reason to root against AP and the Bums.
Agree completely. Or even better ignore it. It’s a circus stunt. If Albert Pujols hits a HR and you do not see or hear about it, did it happen?
Arte being in the billboard business should sell the Dodgers the Pujols HR tracker sign for a couple mil
I deliberately have not seen 1 second of the 9th inning when the Doyers clinched the WS. Turn the channel, mute it look away, I won’t watch. Hasn’t happened in my mind.
Yeah, but you watch, as the season wears on, his playing time will dwindle as he OPS’s sub-.700, guys return and the Dodgers gear up for legit postseason play. Then Pujols will magically become the model citizen and talk about how he’s mentoring the kids and is OK with pinch-hitting when needed, blah blah blah… you know, because he wasn’t willing to play that role in Anaheim. @$$
That’s exactly what ticks me off. He’s going to be a part time player and bench bat, but wouldn’t accept that role here.
Obviously at his first press conference he will say he went there to win.
Don’t let it bother you. Pujols wants to feed his ego. Sitting on the bench on a sub-500 team is different than sitting on the bench and having a legit shot at winning a ring. He will potentially have a few playoff ABs. So it’s a totally different situation. Let him have his swan song and then fade away.
It’ll be all right. Move will probably back fire on Albert as I don’t see him sticking with the Dodgers all year anyway.
Yeah, I get the feeling that he’s getting a roster spot now due to all the injuries. Come August, when they’re making a serious push toward the playoffs, do you really think they’ll keep a roster spot for him over another up-and-coming young player? I don’t know…
The other thing is that with the Dodgers he’ll get one more chance to go back to St.Louis and play the Cards. They go to St.Louis Sep. 6-9th. Obviously the fanfare will not be like the Angels visit since that was his first trip back, but I think there will be a somewhat celebratory, farewell atomosphere.
I am sure Albert thought about this when he accepted the non-starter role.
By September 6th he (Albert) be on the Cards roster to do farewell tour.
Yep. The Dodgers aren’t going to spot him on the roster once most of their regulars return.
Corey Seager wears number 5 for the Dodgers. Will he give it up for Albert?
Maybe they will loan it to him since he will be gone by the time Seager gets back
Wow, didn’t even think about that. That will actually be interesting, to see what player dynamic there is.
Albert will be the model citizen and take another number likely. He will agree to all the things he would not agree to in Anaheim.
Good question. Seager is now an established vet, not some kid, so that will be interesting to see.
Put a zero in front of it so they will have 5 and 05. Or give him a fraction: 25/5.
Eh, just wait until Dodger fans start booing him for running so slow that he gets thrown out at first from left field.
That would be a perfect first AB.
Corey Seager is injury prone it would appear. It seems there are more HBP this year that equates to more per game than normal. So Albert will do exactly what for the Dodgers? Bench, #4 in 1B play depth, and PH, and this is the fast track to 700? He won’t last a month. I do believe the Dodgers are trying to show the Angels up with this move. This is how you treat a future HOF Player type thing.
Agree with you there Grandpa. This totally reeks of the Dodgers sticking it to the Angels. I know they’ve got a bunch of injuries on the IF now, but you can’t tell me they don’t have a couple guys that could come up from AAA and fill in? Muncy can slide around as needed too.