LOS ANGELES — Albert Pujols is grateful to be chasing another World Series ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers, yet he's also disputing the Los Angeles Angels' version of the circumstances that led to his big move up the I-5 freeway.
The 41-year-old slugger formally joined the Dodgers on a one-year deal Monday, vowing to contribute to the defending World Series champions as a first baseman, a pinch-hitter and a veteran mentor. He'll wear a No. 55 jersey in Dodger Blue after sporting a red No. 5 with the Cardinals and the Angels throughout his first two major league decades.
“I feel like I've still got some gasoline left in my tank,” Pujols said. “I'm really excited for this opportunity.”
The Dodgers activated the fifth-leading home run hitter in major league history before the opening game of their home series with Arizona on Monday night.
Pujols said his role with the Dodgers will be “really whatever. I'm here to do whatever, you know. Pinch-hit, first base, whatever they want. I'm just excited to have this opportunity to wear this uniform.”
Pujols' willingness to accept a situational role with the Dodgers directly contradicts the Angels' public statements on the reasons he was unceremoniously cut earlier this month.
Pujols said nothing publicly when the Angels designated him for assignment, but he claimed Monday that the abrupt end to his largely unsuccessful 10-year, $240 million tenure with the Orange County club was entirely the Angels' decision.
“It shocked me, I think like everybody,” Pujols said. “But at the end of the day, no hard feelings at all. I’m here with this organization and I’m excited about this opportunity. I’m not the only player that’s probably going to go through this.”
Angels President John Carpino and general manager Perry Minasian said the Halos mutually broke up with Pujols because the slugger wanted to play every day despite his declining statistical contributions. The Angels have two players at his positions — first baseman Jared Walsh and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani — with far superior offensive numbers.
Wearing a blue Dodgers cap, Pujols directly contradicted the Angels front office's claims.
“I think there’s a lot of things out there saying, ’Oh, you wanted more playing time, you wanted to play every day,'” Pujols said. “That never came out of my mouth.”
“My goal the last two years was never to try to be an everyday first baseman,” Pujols said. “I told you guys in spring training, whatever role they have for me, I’m going to go with. I understand they made that decision as an organization, a business decision, and no hard feelings. I understand that. So they had a talk with me, and that was it. Move forward, and I’m just glad to get another opportunity with another organization."
Pujols is joining the Dodgers as a clear backup and situational player, suggesting that playing for a title contender again after nine mostly dismal seasons in Anaheim was the most important factor to the 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion. He will be the fourth former MVP in the Dodgers' clubhouse, joining Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw.
The struggling Halos will pay all but about $420,000 of Pujols' $30 million salary this season while he plays on with their dominant local rivals.
Pujols’ $240 million contract included a 10-year personal services contract with the Angels that begins when he retires, but Pujols also said he won’t think about retirement until after this season ends, keeping open the possibility of playing again in 2022.
Pujols, who began his career with 11 prolific seasons in St. Louis, has 667 career homers, and he is 13th in big league history with 3,253 hits. He is the majors' active leader in homers, hits, RBIs (2,112), runs scored (1,852) and games played (2,886).
The most prolific hitter of his generation batted .198 with five homers and 12 RBIs this year while playing in 24 of the Angels’ 29 games, and he is in a 7-for-43 slump since April 20.
The Dodgers are a perennial powerhouse, but they began Monday with a whopping 13 players on their injured list after losing World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager over the weekend to a broken hand. Their recent lineups have featured more prospects and borderline major league players than the stars expected to lead one of the majors' most successful teams.
With Bellinger still sidelined by a hairline leg fracture, Pujols could play first base to fill in for Max Muncy, who occasionally moves to third base to give a day off to Justin Turner. Muncy can even play second base, which will be fluid for at least four weeks with Gavin Lux moving to shortstop while Seager heals.
Pujols has made only 41 career plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, but the Dodgers must be hoping he will provide a threat in spot situations as well. And the right-handed-hitting Pujols conceivably could help the Dodgers to hit left-handed pitching, an area in which their lineup is below the major league average.
The Dodgers have been successful in recent seasons in getting contributions from several major league elder statesmen near the close of their careers, including Chase Utley and David Freese. Pujols' leadership and example have been praised by Mike Trout and other key Angels, even while his overall offensive numbers dipped to below-average levels.
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for Pujols. The Dodgers also activated new infielder Yoshi Tsutsugo on Monday.
