The December 19th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including LaRussa says Pujols is “in pain” since leaving the Cardinals, the new Angels lineup scared no one, Pujols might help lure Yadier Molina to Anaheim and much more…
The Monkey Says: Don’t freak out about this. It sounds as if Pujols is pained about the Cards not showing him more love than he is about joining the Angels themselves. Still, I hope he uses this pain as more of a “hell hath no fury like a slugger scorned” motivation rather than moping about it.
The Story: The Angels new lineup strikes fear in the hearts of nobody.
The Monkey Says: That shouldn’t come as a surprise to Angel fans. This lineup stunk last year, and adding one player, even a great one, doesn’t turn it into a juggernaut.
The Story: Albert Pujols might lure close friend and impending free agent Yadier Molina to Anaheim next season.
The Monkey Says: This is all speculation, but given the relationship with Pujols and Scioscia’s infatuation with the catching Molina brothers over the years, it makes a lot of sense. The question is whether or not Dipoto wants to pursue it since Yadier isn’t anything special with the bat. However, if Dipoto trades Conger and fails to be impressed by Iannetta, Molina will start making a lot more sense.
The Story: Albert Pujols has big incentive payouts for his 3000th career hit and 763rd career home run.
The Monkey Says: It is hard to imagine him not getting to 3000 hits, so that $3 million should be a lock. The home run record though, that seems pretty unlikely.
The Story: Albert Pujols, aging and the best 20 hitters of the post-war era.
The Monkey Says: I actually think this is a good study in favor of Pujols. Those that aged well seemed to be guys that were just incredible natural hitters and not so much tremendous athletes. The bad list also seems to be filled with suspected roiders and/or guys who did not live the clean lifestyle Pujols reportedly does. Of course, all it takes is Pujols falling into the dugout in his first game and the Angels are pretty much boned for ten years.