OC Register: Angels’ Albert Pujols says he isn’t thinking about retirement

[AngelsWin.com]

TEMPE, Ariz. — A few days ago Albert Pujols woke from a late afternoon nap to see that his phone had exploded.

“I had like 3,000 calls,” Pujols said. “What happened? I turned on the TV to see if something had happened. Somebody told me it was all about a post.”

That would be an Instagram post from Pujols’ wife, Diedre. Apparently, she had meant to simply send her husband off to another baseball season with her blessings, but the way she initially worded the post led people to believe she was revealing that he was retiring after the season.

After several clarifications to the post, and a denial from Pujols’ representatives, it all got sorted out. Pujols was able to laugh about it when he spoke to the media before Saturday’s workout.

“I know what she was trying to say,” Pujols said. “It’s sad that everybody just had to run with it. That’s the life we live in with social media.”

It was understandable to believe Pujols might have decided the 2021 season would be his last. He is 41 and this is the final year of his 10-year deal with the Angels. His performance has declined and his playing time has decreased in recent seasons.

Pujols, however, said that he feels great after a second straight injury-free season.

“My mind’s not even there,” Pujols said of retirement. “I feel good. When I’m there, I think everybody’s going to know and they’re not going to find out through Instagram. They’ll find out in a press conference or whatever. My fans and people deserve better than just a post on Instagram.”

It stands to reason that whatever decision Pujols makes about 2022 largely hinges on how he performs in 2021.

He is coming off a season in which he hit .224 with a .665 OPS, both the lowest numbers in a 20-year career that will surely land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.

Although he avoided the injured list last season, he still played in just 39 of the Angels’ 60 games, losing playing time to Jared Walsh. Walsh had a sizzling September and ended up hitting .293 with a .971 OPS and nine homers in just 99 at-bats.

If Walsh, 27, hits anywhere close to that level in 2021, it will be difficult for Pujols to wrest much playing time from him, barring a miraculous resurgence of his own.

“I hope he friggin tears it up because that means he’s going to help this organization win,” Pujols said. “I’m not competing with Jared Walsh. I’m not competing with anybody on my team. My job is to try to help this organization win. There’s nothing selfish here for anybody. If there’s somebody that feels that way, they shouldn’t be in this organization, because that’s not how you build a championship ballclub.”

Manager Joe Maddon got a taste of Pujols’ attitude in their first year together, in 2020, and he expects more of the same this year if he needs to tell Pujols his role will be further reduced.

“It’s going to be a meritocracy, always,” Maddon said. “He gets it. We’ve had the conversations. Of course he wants to play and of course when he doesn’t play he might not like it. Of course. He’s wired that way. And that’s the way you want it to be. But he understands what’s going on. He accepts it well.”

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Jose Quintana and Patrick Sandoval will be two of the pitchers to work in the Angels’ exhibition opener Sunday against the San Francisco Giants. …

Lefty reliever Alex Claudio, who has been slowed by a hip infection, is participating in on-field workouts, but not yet throwing. ….

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Maddon was happy to add Jesse Chavez to the bullpen mix after the Angels signed the veteran right-hander to a minor-league deal. Chavez pitched for Maddon with the Chicago Cubs in 2018. “He’s a big reason why we made the playoffs that particular year,” Maddon said. “He’s kind of like the old Swiss Army Knife … He just makes any team that he’s on better, and he’s going to make this bullpen better.” …

Maddon said the Angels remain in touch with other players who could still be added. They’ve most notably been connected to Jake Odorizzi, who also played for Maddon with the Rays. Speaking in general about further additions, Maddon said: “It’s definitely possible. Is it going to happen? I have no idea. But we’re definitely looking at all options.”

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[Angelsjunky]

11 minutes ago, AngelsWin.com said:

ALSO

Packy Naughton, who was likely going to be part of the Angels’ Triple-A rotation, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his ulnar collateral ligament. Although that type of injury can lead to Tommy John surgery, so far the Angels haven’t gotten to that point with Naughton. Maddon said he’d been impressed early in camp with Naughton, who had shown improved velocity. The Angels acquired Naughton, 24, last summer from the Cincinnati Reds in the Brian Goodwin trade. …

 

And so it begins.

[Bronson]

Well better we start thinking about it soon since no one is gonna actually sign him. 
 

The Cardinals MIGHT sign him to a minor league contract so he can retire a Cardinal. Might.

[eligrba]

Albert doesn't need to think about his retirement since every Angel fan has been for the past 5 yrs.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

33 minutes ago, eligrba said:

Albert doesn't need to think about his retirement since every Angel fan has been for the past 5 ten yrs.

Fixed.

He surely can't be delusional enough to believe that there is a place for him on any team's roster after 2021.

Edited February 27, 2021 by Vegas Halo Fan

[thebloob]

1 hour ago, Vegas Halo Fan said:

Fixed.

He surely can't be delusional enough to believe that there is a place for him on any team's roster after 2021.

Obviously you don’t pay that attention to professional sports.  Part of sports are aging stars trying to hang on but can’t cut it anymore.  

[Second Base]

And in response, Main days he isn't thinking about actually putting Pujols in the lineup. 

 

[oldguy]

I'd love to see him continue his career with the A's, Astros, Rangers, or Mariners.

[thebloob]

If you go back and look at the stories his wife was very outspoken about the cardinals offers.  I wonder if she was the reason he ended up leaving.  Now this....

[Vegas Halo Fan]

4 hours ago, thebloob said:

Obviously you don’t pay that attention to professional sports. 

You're right. I don't pay that attention.