For May baseball, this was about as good as it gets, although Yankees fans hated the ending. It was looking like a three-game sweep was in the cards until the Astros rallied in the eighth when their signature villain Jose Altuve blasted a head-high fastball from Chad Green over the wall in left-center to turn a Yankees lead into a deficit that became a loss. Introducing Yankees Insider: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers.
The Angels opted to move on because Pujols is 41 and washed up. He hit. Oh wait, here come the emails. The news on Pujols was just a few minutes old when the first reached my inbox:.
He was cut, but has a higher average than most of our lineup. And more home runs. Just saying. In the offseason, the Yankees would have been smart trading the farm to the Cardinals for Pujols instead of signing Jason Giambi, but the version is old, slow and done. Is Pujols better than Ford, who is 3-for with two homers during his opportunities this season as a fill-in first baseman?
Sure, but Ford will be gone by next week with Luke Voit fully recovered from his March knee surgery, raking in his Triple-A rehab games and likely to be off the injured list by Tuesday. Rougned Odor will probably be off the IL in a week or so, too, and his left-handed bat off the bench and infield versatility are more valuable that Pujols as a backup first baseman.
They misjudged his power He hit 24 in games as a year-old rookie that year, then he blew that away in mashing Ever since, his power has vanished. When he is up there with nobody on, the difference in his swing is huge. He gets a little long. If Pujols is done, that should be his legacy as much as anything. And few hitters have ever done it as well or as often. But to really appreciate the hitter that Pujols has been, you need to understand that he was automatic.
He was going to beat you. It was just a matter of when and how. Pujols, who was standing in the on-deck circle when AJ Pollock grounded out to end the Dodgers' season with a loss to the Braves in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday at Truist Park, may not be done, of course.
His solid showing down the stretch for the Dodgers may have opened some doors for him to play in if he wishes. Regardless, his legacy is unassailable. Louis who would tell you he should have a couple more. Pujols was a complete player. He was an exemplary defender at first base, a heady and aggressive baserunner, and a high-average, high-OBP hitter who also happened to hit homers by the bushel.
Would the Yankees dare sign Albert Pujols , who was cut loose by the Los Angeles Angels last week and officially became a free agent on Thursday? Pujols to the Yankees seemed laughable just a few days ago, but bringing in a year-old who has career homers for the prorated major league minimum might be something to talk about if Hicks is out long-term and Stanton ends up on the injured list.
NJ Advance Media tracked down an MLB scout who has seen a lot of Pujols this season and offered anonymity to get an expert opinion on whether the Yankees should consider rolling the dice or passing on the future Hall of Famer. There are a lot of guys in baseball where you see the arrow pointing down, and some end up turning it around. Buster Posey is one. But while the Yankees wait to see what the deal is with Stanton, Pujols might emerge as a backup plan.
So it comes down to which contender can give Pujols some at-bats to see if he starts hitting again with a change of scenery? Get Yankees text messages: Cut through the clutter of social media and text during games with beat writers and columnists. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.
0コメント