Tweet
Pujols takes 10-year deal from Angels
Albert Pujols has agreed to a 10-year, $250 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels.
The deal includes a full no-trade clause, which Pujols had been seeking and may have been a sticking point in his negotiations with the Miami Marlins.
Pujols had turned down an offer from the Cardinals, the only team he has ever played for, about a year ago, but St. Louis was still in the bidding as of Wednesday.
Sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Angels jumped into the bidding late Wednesday.
The Marlins moved on to pursue free agent pitchers Mark Buehrle (who agreed to terms Wednesday, pending a physical) and C.J. Wilson. But despite the Marlins' exit from the bidding Wednesday night, sources said negotiations with the Cardinals hadn't progressed to the point where Pujols was close to agreeing to a deal.
The Cardinals had planned to talk with Pujols' agent one more time Thursday before heading home. But sources told Olney that the Cardinals' latest offer was for nine years and a little less than $200 million. That would have made him the fourth-highest paid first baseman.
One source who spoke with Pujols' camp Wednesday came away with the impression the two sides were farther apart than had been widely portrayed earlier in the day.
While the Angels were initially chasing Pujols, they were also engaged in heavy negotiations with Wilson on Wednesday. Sources told Olney that the team has not ruled out signing both players, landing two of the highest profile free agents this offseason.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told reporters that the Angels had cast a "wide net" in their pursuit of ways to upgrade their team.
Source: AP
The deal includes a full no-trade clause, which Pujols had been seeking and may have been a sticking point in his negotiations with the Miami Marlins.
Pujols had turned down an offer from the Cardinals, the only team he has ever played for, about a year ago, but St. Louis was still in the bidding as of Wednesday.
Sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Angels jumped into the bidding late Wednesday.
The Marlins moved on to pursue free agent pitchers Mark Buehrle (who agreed to terms Wednesday, pending a physical) and C.J. Wilson. But despite the Marlins' exit from the bidding Wednesday night, sources said negotiations with the Cardinals hadn't progressed to the point where Pujols was close to agreeing to a deal.
The Cardinals had planned to talk with Pujols' agent one more time Thursday before heading home. But sources told Olney that the Cardinals' latest offer was for nine years and a little less than $200 million. That would have made him the fourth-highest paid first baseman.
One source who spoke with Pujols' camp Wednesday came away with the impression the two sides were farther apart than had been widely portrayed earlier in the day.
While the Angels were initially chasing Pujols, they were also engaged in heavy negotiations with Wilson on Wednesday. Sources told Olney that the team has not ruled out signing both players, landing two of the highest profile free agents this offseason.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told reporters that the Angels had cast a "wide net" in their pursuit of ways to upgrade their team.
Source: AP