Free agent first baseman Albert Pujols decided on Thursday morning that he will join the Los Angeles Angels in a 10-year deal worth at least $250 million and featuring a full no-trade clause, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports. Here is exactly what Brown had to say, via Twitter:
Source: Pujols will sign with Angels for 10 years for between $250 and $260 million. Full no-trade. Pujols decided Thursday morning.
The report was also corroborated by Buster Olney:
Pujols to the angels, done, sources say
Follow the latest developments on the signing in the SB Nation stream. Pujols had reportedly wanted to become the highest paid player in the MLB, but this reported deal won't quite get that done. Although Pujols will average between $25 million and $26 million per year, Alex Rodriguez will remain the highest paid player under his current deal that has an average value of $27.5 million annually.
The Cubs were unwilling to go 10-years for a 31-year old player, even on the caliber of Albert Pujols. However, this might be the best result for Theo Epstein and the Cubs, as Pujols not only leaves the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, he also leaves the National League all together.
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