Albert Pujols Agrees With Angels, Will Invade Bronx For Yankee Stadium Opener
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Albert Pujols won't be joining Jose Reyes in Miami.
And better yet for Mets fans, Pujols is headed out of the National League after agreeing to a 10-year, $254 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
"Two wilds cards and no Albert Pujols. I'm happy," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said on Wednesday.
The Yankees will have to get used to hosting the former Cardinals slugger and three-time NL MVP. The team's 2012 home opener at Yankee Stadium is scheduled for April 13 against the Angels.
Pujols' contract is only the third in baseball to break the $200 million barrier, following Alex Rodriguez's $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas before the 2001 season and A-Rod's $275 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees before the 2008 season.
"I think every club that's signed a 10-year deal has regretted it," said Alderson.
In addition, the Angels agreed to a five-year contract with left-hander C.J. Wilson.
Pujols led St. Louis to a World Series title this fall — his second with the team. He had been pursued by the Marlins, but they dropped out Wednesday after agreeing to a deal with Mark Buehrle.
The Cardinals exercised a $16 million option on Pujols' contract after last season. The slugger rejected a multiyear extension that included a small percentage of the franchise over the winter and cut off negotiations on the first day of spring training.
"This is a monumental day for Angel fans and I could not be more excited," Angels owner Arte Moreno said.
Pujols' numbers in nearly every major offensive category are on a three-year decline, but he remains among the game's elite players. He hit 37 home runs last season, running his 30-homer streak to 11 years, and batted .299 with 99 RBIs. He led the Cardinals' improbable late-season surge and became only the third player to hit three home runs in a World Series game.
"Albert's career performance clearly speaks for itself," new Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto. "He has proven to be the best player of his generation."
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