Bold Predictions for Albert Pujols and the Angels

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The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made headlines this offseason signing prized free-agent starter C.J Wilson and long-time All-Star first baseman for the Cardinals, Albert Pujols.

Now some people, including myself, feel that the Angels overpaid for Pujol's contract, a contract worth $254 million over 10 years. 

Pujols has been one of the best, if not the best, player in baseball since his debut in 2001, and there's no doubting that this contract will help the Angels tremendously for at least the next five or six years.

Here are some bold predictions for the Albert Pujols era in Los Angeles.

His First Year Is Great, but Not Pujolsian

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Just like he did this year in 2011, Pujols will have a great year, but not at the level he has set over the past 10 years.

I expect him to have a statistical year such as this:

HR: 28

RBI: 105

.295/.370/.550

Still a great year, and very similar to last year. Cardinals fans will smile at the supposed "regression" of Pujols. 

The Angels Win the AL West in 2012

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Led by a rotation of Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and the newly acquired C.J Wilson, the Angels storm into the playoffs. Pujols leads their surprisingly good offense.

They promptly exit in the first round.

A.L MVP Albert Pujols

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Pujols comes back with a vengeance. His team had a great year, but lost in the first round of the playoffs. 

He has a year very similar to his 2009 MVP season.

HR: 43

RBI: 125

.324/.438/.614

He ends up winning the 2013 A.L MVP Award, but that is not the highlight of the year for him as...

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Are the 2013 World Series Champions

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A year after being defeated in the ALDS, the Angels are once again in the playoffs, as they beat out the Rangers for A.L West Division title.

They go on to win the World Series, and Pujols is promptly named the World Series MVP.

The Angels Miss out on the Playoffs in 2014 and 2015

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After winning the World Series, the Angels miss out on the playoffs for the next two years. 

Pujols numbers drop a little bit, but he still has a great two years. Division rival Texas Rangers win the division in both years, and the World Series in the second.

The Angels Win the World Series TWICE Within the Next Five Years

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While Pujols numbers continue to fall, the Angels core is still a great one. They win the World Series twice, 2016 and 2018.

By 2017, Pujols is the regular DH putting up good, but not great numbers.  

Pujols Misses Significant Time with Injuries

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In the remaining three years of his contract, Pujols misses significant time with injuries. His numbers are still good when he plays, but that is not so often as he averages 84 games each year during the last three years.

Final

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Despite the final years of his contract being a non-factor, Pujols still helped bring three World Series to Los Angeles. 

The contract, which many thought would be a mistake after a few years, was not a bust.

In 10 years, Pujols brought three world Championships and the Angels are the team of the 2010's.