Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
When the Dodgers visit San Francisco on Friday for their first series against the Giants, it’s possible they will have an additional 667 career home runs in their lineup.
Albert Pujols and the Dodgers are in agreement on a deal, the LA Times first reported Saturday, with the future Hall of Famer joining the reigning World Series champs for a chance to go out in much grander style than he had with the Angels.
The Angels released the legend last week in the 10th and final season of his mega-deal, the 41-year-old Pujols appearing to be on his last legs and the Angels wanting more playing time for younger players.
It was expected that Pujols would seek a team with whom he would play often, but it’s possible that opportunity was not out there for a fallen star who had posted a .622 OPS in 92 plate appearances this year. While the Dodgers have not yet commented on how they plan to play Pujols, he likely will be a bench bat and occasional first baseman against lefties.
The Dodgers could give days off to second baseman Gavin Lux, who has not hit well, move Max Muncy to second and play Pujols at first against southpaws. Or they could just platoon Muncy and Pujols. Pujols slashed .259/.286/.593 with three home runs in 28 plate appearances against lefties with the Angels this season.
The Dodgers, at 21-17, are in a surprising third in the NL West, two games behind the first-place Giants entering play Saturday. They have not hit well and hope Pujols’ track record as one of the best of all time can help.
A roster that already contained Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Clayton Kershaw just added plenty to its resume. Giants-Dodgers will be fun.