Pujols is unquestionably among a handful of players who could claim to be the best in baseball — now. But will he still be great in three years? How about five? It’s almost guaranteed he won’t be too great come 2018, when he’s 38 years and old making $25 million. Or 2019 … 2020 … or 2021.
That, however, is the price to pay when you want the best player available. Teams have to offer more years and more cash than the player is actually worth in order to get him while he’s still at his peak. It’s the nature of the business.
Do you think that the Angels will come to regret this one?
They’ve gone all in for a big-name first baseman before, signing former Red Sox slugger Mo Vaughn to a six-year, $80 million deal in December 1998. The Hit Dog ended up playing just two seasons in Anaheim, getting injured in his first game.
It would be a bad joke if the Angels fell victim to such circumstances again, but even if they avoid any out-of-the-ordinary setbacks for Pujols, will they come to regret this contract?
Will the Angels regret signing Albert Pujols to a 10-year contract?
