Report: Dodgers, Albert Pujols agree to major league deal for rest of season

The Los Angeles Dodgers and first baseman Albert Pujols have come to terms on a major league deal for the rest of this season, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times.

Pujols was shockingly designated for assignment last week by the Los Angeles Angels and just cleared waivers on Thursday, making him a free agent. With the future Hall of Fame first baseman now free to sign with anybody, people started to connect the dots to the Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals.

The White Sox are being managed by his old manager in Tony LaRussa, while the Cardinals are the only team he’s been with outside of the Angels. Earlier this week, St. Louis president Bill DeWitt said on local radio that the team had some internal discussions about Pujols but they like where the team is.

“We’ve certainly had some internal conversations about it, of course how could you not, right?” DeWitt said (h/t MLB.com) . “But I think right now we really like where we are with the team. I’d hate to take at-bats away from anybody right now. I think we’ve still got people that we want to see what they’re all about, younger players, etc. So I think right now it’s something that we haven’t really entertained.”

Pujols was in the last year of his 10-year, $240 million contract that he signed with the Angels. The 41-year-old infielder and designated hitter is hitting .198/.250/.372 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 92 plate appearances this season. He is now joining a Dodgers teams that is loaded with power hitters, but could be a competent backup for current first baseman Max Muncy.