Pujols is an Angel - Mind Blown.

Nearly eight days ago my mind was completely blown.  Like some sort of sonic ray gun zapping my brain and exploding like Mt. St. Helen, Albert Pujols became an Angel.  I closely monitored websites like Halos Heaven and MLB Trade Rumors to see what went down at the Winter Meetings.  Truth be told in the past few seasons the Winter Meetings were a torturous experience.  Hearing the Halos linked to every top deck free agent, only to settle for coming in 2nd place.
Jerry DiPoto didn't leave me disappointed.  When the name Pujols was being tossed around as a potential Angel, I kind of laughed but deep down I hoped he would be.  I've eluded to my affinity for the first baseman in other posts.  Prior to the Wells deal last winter, I had hopped that the Halos would be saving up to make a serious bid to the multi-time MVP.  But never in my wildest dreams would the most prolific hitter in all the land would be suiting up in our colors for my team.  Just wasn't going to happen.  But it did.

Arte Moreno stepped up to the plate.  And the infomercial for season tickets last Saturday is a testament to the gratitude the Halo Faithful should share for the boss.  You wanted the best, he got you the best. Starting at first base for your Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim #5, the Machine, Albert Pujols.  I've heard a lot of rhetoric from Dodger fans.  I'm going to chalk that up to jealousy. 

1. You over paid:  #5 had offers from the Marlins for just over 22M more that were left on the table.  When you begin to adjust the market for inflation in the next ten years, with ever increasing contracts and no salary cap, this contract could be a bargain in 3-4 years.  If the Halos win the Series
2. He won't be the same hitter in year 10:  Will Jeter, A-Rod, or really any of the premium players being the player they were at the end of the contract as their were at the beginning.   No, they aren't.  AP won't be the same player he is when my Daughter is 17.  But he could be chasing Bond's Home Run record, 3000 hits, and Cooper's Town.  Could be the first Angel inducted into the HOF.  And sure he spent 11 years in STL, 10 years in Anaheim could mean as much, if not more.

'The Machine' hasn't yet to play 1 game in an Angels Jersey, but he's already being treated like a Rock Star.  World Series have never been won in December.  But Pujols gives the Angel an excellent opportunity to go back to the promise land.  So kudos to the Halos, Moreno, and DiPoto for landing the big fish and making that splash.

Go Halos