Albert Pujols Returns Home to St. Louis

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have brought back fan favorite and future Hall of Famer 1B/DH Albert Pujols on a one-year contract, worth $2.5 million. Pujols, 42, last played for the Cardinals in 2011 and helped them win their 11th World Series in franchise history. 

As a free agent after the World Series, Pujols signed a ten-year contract, worth $210 million with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols ended up not doing as well with the Angels as he did with the Cardinals. Pujols only made the All-Star team 1 time with the Angels. The Angels also only won their division 1 time, which was in 2014.The Angels would end up designating Pujols for assignment on May 6, 2021. Pujols would end up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent on May 17, 2021. 

Combined between the Angels and Dodgers, Pujols hit .236 with 29 runs, 65 hits, 3 doubles, 17 home runs, 50 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 14 walks. Pujols found life with the Dodgers mostly playing against left-handed pitchers and as a pinch-hitter. Pujols also helped give energy to the Dodgers bench players and clubhouse. 

In 2001, Pujols had a career high 4 triples. Pujols had career high in runs (137), hits (212), and in doubles (51) in 2003. In 2005, Pujols had a career high 16 stolen bases. Pujols had career highs in both home runs (49) and in RBI's (137) in 2006. In 2009, Pujols had a career high career high 115 walks.

Pujols has been an All-Star 10 times: (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015). In 2001, Pujols won NL Rookie of the Year. Pujols has won the World Series 2 times: (2006, and 2011). Pujols has won the MVP 3 times: (2005, 2008, and 2009). Pujols has won the Gold Glove Award 2 times: (2006, and 2010). Pujols won NLCS MVP in 2004. Pujols has won the Silver Slugger Award 6 times: (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010). Pujols won the NL batting champion in 2003, hitting a career high .359. Pujols led the NL in RBI's in 2010, with 118. 

In 2008, Pujols won the Roberto Clemente Award. Pujols also has won the NL Hank Aaron Award 2 times: (2003, and 2009).

Overall, Pujols has played 21 seasons in the MLB. Pujols has played 2,971 games with 1,872 runs, 3,301 hits, 672 doubles, 16 triples, 679 home runs, 2,150 RBI's, 116 stolen bases, 1,345 walks, and a .297 batting average. 

Pujols is reunited with Cardinals' teammates Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. Both Molina and Wawinright are said to retire after the 2022 season. Could the MLB see all three retire together? That would be nice to happen, if Pujols can stay healthy. The Cardinals plan to use Pujols in a similar role as he was in with the Dodgers. There's a chance he could see less at bats, because the Cardinals want to see younger players use the DH role. Pujols will probably just be a pinch-hitter/bat off the bench for late innings. 

If the Cardinals want to contend more, they need to find a starting pitcher at some point and need their pitching to stay healthy. Another bullpen arm at some point would be nice too. We'll see what will happen in 2002, but Pujols should also help sell tickets. 

St. Louis Cardinals sign Drew VerHagen

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RP Drew VerHagen to a two-year contract, worth $5.5 million. VerHagen, 31, can earn also earn up to $1 million in performance bounces in both seasons. VerHagen last pitched in the MLB in 2019, with the Detroit Tigers. That season, VerHagen was 4-3 with a 5.90 ERA, 22 games, 4 starts, 1 hold, 58 innings, 51 strikeouts, and 23 walks. The wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for VerHagen. VerHagen had a career high 5 holds in 2017.

Overall, VerHagen has played 6 seasons in the MLB (2014-2019). VerHagen has a record of 10-10 with a 5.11 ERA, 127 games, 8 starts, 14 holds, 199 innings, 156 strikeouts, and 75 walks, with a whip of 1.43.

After leaving the Tigers, VerHagen played 2 seasons (2020-2021) in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In 2020, VerHagen was 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA, 18 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 111.2 innings, 115 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Last season, VerHagen was 5-8 with a 3.80 ERA, 21 games, 97 innings, 101 strikeouts, and 33 walks. 

Overall, in Japan, VerHagen was 13-14 with a 3.49 ERA, 39 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 208.2 innings, 216 strikeouts, and 62 walks. 

VerHagen if he learned how to pitch in Japan might end up being a good addition for the Cardinals. They've had some success in finding pitchers in Japan. In VerHagen's 6 seasons in the MLB, he had a groundball rate of 53.6 percent. That could end up being good behind the Cardinals defense. 

The Cardinals view VerHagen as a flex starter or a swingman (someone who can handle innings, pitch in middle relief, or start if that's needed). 

Hopefully VerHagen isn't the only new Cardinals' pitcher signed in free agency being re-opened.