AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Albert Pujols might be able to prolong his career if the universal designated hitter is adopted.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, three teams have reached out to the future Hall of Famer.
Pujols played for the Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers in his career, and he finished with a slash line and home runs.
The market for the 42-year-old may not have materialized under the old rules. Half of MLB has to fill new lineup spots.
If Pujols signs as a designated hitter, his defensive limitations will not be an issue. It was difficult to imagine another NL team signing him as a first baseman even though he finished last year with the Dodgers.
Commercial possibilities are always considered when a legend is available. His quest for 700 home runs could draw fans to the ballpark or at least get them to tune in on television, despite being such a late stage in his career.
Maury Brown @BizballMauryPujols sits on 679 HRs. Him hitting 21 dingers in 2022 is still an outside possibility. Clubs will absolutely think about milestone number 700 in their calculus to sign him. https://t.co/TXP1p5VpWd
It is worth considering whether pursuing Pujols is a good idea.
The baseline for an average hitter is when he last finished with a wrc+ of at least 100.
Last year, the 10-time All-Star recorded a career-worst walk rate and strikeout rate that was barely better than his personal worst.
His batting average on balls in play has fallen each year. His limited mobility and inability to circumvent shifts is a testament to that.
Travis Sawchik @Travis_SawchikAlbert Pujols is 21 home runs away from 700. There are 15 new DH spots. He's been a below-average hitter for five straight seasons and is 42. Who is biting here?
There is nothing Pujols can do on the field that will deny him a first-ballot Hall of Fame nod. His days of being a positive presence might be over.
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