Baseball star Albert Pujols has had a spectacular career. He is recognized as one of the all-time best players and has won various awards for his accomplishments. His agreement with the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 was one of the most important moments of his career. This article will explore Albert Pujols contract in detail and consider how it impacted his career.
He has played for a number of baseball teams and has signed various contracts, but the one with the Los Angeles Angels was a memorable one as it was the contract that changed a lot of things for him.
Albert Pujols Contract Background
It’s crucial to comprehend Pujols’ career trajectory prior to delving into the terms of his contract.
In 2001, Pujols signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he rapidly made a name for himself.
During his time with the Cardinals, he earned three National League MVP Awards after winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2001.
Albert Pujols was a vital component of the 2006 World Series champions.
Albert Pujols contract with the St. Louis Cardinals was renewed on February 20, 2004, which included no-trade clauses and a $16 million club option for 2011. This was a seven-year, $100 million contract.
2011 marked Pujols’ first season as an unrestricted free agent.
He was regarded as one of the league’s top players and had played his whole professional career with the Cardinals.
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He was sought after by numerous organizations, including the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins.
Pujols ultimately agreed to a ten-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
Albert Pujols Contract With The Los Angeles Angels
Albert Pujols contract with LA Angels was a $254 million, 10-year contract. At the time, it was baseball’s second-largest deal ever.
During the 2011 offseason, Pujols was reportedly a target for the Cardinals, Miami Marlins, and Los Angeles Angels, among other organizations.
Pujols turned down a 10-year, $210 million deal from the Cardinals.
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Reported Earnings From The Contract
Due to the front-loading of the contract, Pujols would make the majority of his money in the first few years.
Pujols was projected to receive a $3 million signing bonus in addition to a $12 million salary in the first year of the deal.
He was also projected to make $16 million in salary and a $7 million signing bonus in the second year.
He was said to be paid a salary of $23 million and a signing bonus of $7 million in the third year.
After that, his pay would continue to be $30 million per year for the rest of the deal.
Albert Pujols contract with the Los Angeles Angels was a life-changing one, and when he advanced in age and could no longer keep up, he returned to some of his former clubs to end his career.
Pujols and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached a one-year major league contract on May 17, 2021.
That evening, he started at first base for the Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
On March 28, 2022, Pujols stated that 2022 will be his final season before signing a one-year deal to join his former club, the St. Louis Cardinals.