Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols Will Be Key Factor Next Season
Los Angeles Angels superstar Albert Pujols had a great year production wise. The list of individual accomplishments continues to grow for the 36-year old slugger.
The Los Angeles Angels were fortunate to have Albert Pujols health for 95% of the season. Pujols missed the last five games of the season with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. However, he finished the season with remarkable numbers.
The .268 average, 31 home runs, and 119 runs batted in was a testament to just how good Pujols was in his fifth year as an Angel. The Angels and Pujols both hope he can contribute next season. He’ll be 37 when spring training begins next season.
Pujols will likely continue to DH for the Angels until the end of his contract. It’s unclear if he’ll retire before his contract expires in 2022. However, he’ll continue to climb the all-time home run list in hopes of catching Sammy Sosa. Pujols will need 18 homers to catch Sosa.
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Will Pujols blast 31 homers next season? Maybe; however, it’s wasn’t likely that he’d do that this season. Most likely, he’ll catch Sosa either next season or the season after. What will be more interesting is if he can catch Ken Griffey jr. who’s in sixth place with 630 homers.
Regardless of what happens with Pujols and the home run race, the Angels will need his bats to help Mike Trout and company next season. Aside from Trout and Pujols this list of consistent hitters becomes very thin. Sure, C.J. Cron, Kole Calhoun, Jefry Marte and Andrelton Simmons had decent years, but, they aren’t consistent as a unit.
The Angels will continue to monitor Pujols’ foot and make sure he’s 100% before spring training. The last thing the Angels need is Pujols on the DL to start a very important 2017. Pujols will remain an Angel for the next five years, making $140 million in the process.