MLB Predictions: What Albert Pujols Must Do to Earn His Money in Year 1

Friday is the day that the Los Angeles Angels have waited for since signing Albert Pujols. The three-time MVP award winner will play his first game as a member of the Halos. There is a lot of pressure on him to perform after signing a 10-year, $254 million contract, but it is not an impossible task. 

We have seen players get massive deals in the past and perform up to expectations—Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez (the first deal with Texas) spring to mind. Others have fallen under the weight of expectations. 

Here are a few not-so-easy ways Pujols can live up to his end of the contract with the Angels. 

Hitting

Average and On-Base Percentage

Pujols' batting average and on-base percentage have been gradually declining for the last two years. He has seen his walk rate go from 16.4 percent in 2009 down to 9.4 percent last year, while his strikeout rate has hovered around nine percent during that span. 

Since the days of Pujols hitting .330 with a .440 on-base percentage are over, as long as he keeps his numbers right around what they were in 2011—.299 average, .366 on-base percentage—that will be good enough. 

Power

Despite seeing his overall numbers decline the last two years, Pujols still has an uncanny eye at the plate with the best bat speed in the game. 

There will be a slight drop in the numbers this year, just because the pitching in the American League is better than the National League and he will be playing in pitcher's parks more often. 

Part of the formula for earning money and drawing revenue as a marquee player is being able to drive the ball out of the park. Pujols has done that as well as anyone over the last 10 years, and he needs to keep up his pace of 30-homer seasons to provide the value this team is looking for. 

Defense

There was a time when Pujols was the best defensive first baseman in the league. Advanced metrics have shown that he has dropped a bit in the last three years, though he is still above average. 

Considering how much Pujols contributes offensively, he doesn't have to be elite with the glove. First base is not a position that demands excellence defensively to earn money. Pujols can handle himself in the field, which is basically an added bonus given the bat. 

Miscellaneous

One big area where Pujols is going to be well worth the investment, at least in the first few years while he is still producing at a superstar level, is at the box office. 

The Angels have drawn well for the last 10 years, but with Pujols as the new kid in town there figures to bring in a lot more revenue through ticket sales, jerseys, television licensing fees, etc. 

If you like to hear more stuff about baseball players making a lot of money and what they can do to earn it, give me a follow on the Twitter. 

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