Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the Los Angeles Angels landed Albert Pujols on the free agent market, it really was a pretty big deal. Considering the track record that Pujols had at the time, it seemed impossible that even the ridiculous contract they gave the slugger was way too much money. As they look back after an injury plagued season however, the Angels have to be greatly worried not just about the money they owe Pujols for the 2014 season but also what they owe him for a very long time after that.
What they surely could not have known was how big of a deal Pujols’ chronically injured foot would become. His foot has an injury that isn’t something that goes away with good medicine. In fact it doesn’t really go away at all; ever. Apparently he has dealt with this for a while but there is little doubt that it was worse this season. He ended with numbers a mere fraction of what he should normally have.
Considering they gave him 16 million bucks this season, it is quite the disappointment. However, they owe him $23 million next season and that increases every season until he will be owed $30 million when he is 41 years of age. Now, only a couple of years in, this is beginning to look like a contract that could be one of the largest financial mistakes in Angels history.
I think the only possible thing the Angels can do is give Pujols as much time as he needs to improve his foot to playing shape. If that doesn’t happen, it will be a very long trip from now until age 41.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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