ST. LOUIS - (KMOX) Reportedly there's a deal for Albert Pujols to return to St. Louis at least one, but not as a Cardinal. Bob Nightengale is reporting the future Hall of Famer has a deal with the Dodgers.
Nigtengale says those close to Pujols say he's thrilled signing a major league contract.
The Cardinals take on the Dodgers at Bush Stadium September 6th through the 9th.
Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports the 41 year old Pujols' deal is expected to be finalized Monday.
While playing time was thought to be Pujols’ top priority in choosing his next team—the 41-year-old’s diminished role in Anaheim led him to lash out at manager Joe Maddon, prompting his release—it’s easy to see why the veteran would align himself with the Dodgers. Not only does Pujols get to stay in L.A.—a far more appealing alternative to uprooting his family midseason—but with the Dodgers, participants in three of the last four World Series, Pujols has a chance to go out in style by adding a third championship ring to his collection.
While joining an American League club arguably would have made more sense given the NL’s lack of a DH, Pujols should see regular at-bats as part of a first-base platoon with left-handed-hitting Max Muncy. Pujols has had success at Dodger Stadium in the past (.289 lifetime average with nine homers and 34 RBI in 197 at-bats), though admittedly, most of that production came early in his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Speaking of St. Louis, the Cardinals had reportedly expressed interest in reuniting with Pujols, who ranks second in franchise history in both home runs (445) and RBI (1,329). However, that was never a likely outcome with All-Star Paul Goldschmidt all but entrenched at first base.