At 41 years old, Albert Pujols‘ best MLB days are almost certainly behind him, but he still has plenty to offer.
While his overall production isn’t what it used to be, he’s still capable of making a positive on-the-field impact if he’s put in the right situation.
Moreover, his clubhouse impact is undeniable, as his veteran presence and leadership would make any team better.
For those reasons, Pujols will likely be able to find a home this offseason if he decides to return to the league for another year.
Which clubs should consider signing him?
Let’s take a look.
3. Seattle Mariners
The market for Pujols is going to depend a lot on whether or not the universal designated hitter enters the picture in 2022.
Right now, that looks likely.
That’s good news for Pujols, as the universal DH would open up a lot more options for him in free agency.
However, whether the universal DH happens or not, there are some AL teams that should look at Pujols.
The Seattle Mariners are one of them.
In 2021, the Mariners were one of the worst teams in baseball against left-handed pitching.
Collectively, the club batted .216 with a .662 OPS against lefties.
That’s obviously not going to get the job done.
Pujols could help in that department, as he’s still doing damage against lefties even at his current age.
He has a career OPS of .947 against lefties, and in 2021, he was able to post a .939 OPS against southpaws.
That makes him an appealing option against left-handed starters, and it also makes him a valuable bat off the bench in pinch-hitting spots.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (Re-Sign)
When Pujols joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the middle of the 2021 season, not many folks had high expectations.
But the slugger’s time with the team ended up being a pleasant surprise, as he was able to add a fair amount of value.
Pujols’ numbers with the Dodgers definitely weren’t eye-popping, but he posted an above-average OPS+, registered a positive WAR, and was a weapon against left-handed pitching.
He seemed like a good fit with the team.
When speculating about Pujols’ next landing spot, it’s worth noting that he has spent his last 10 years in the majors in Los Angeles.
Perhaps he’d like to continue that trend and finish his career in L.A.
Although the Dodgers’ title run fell short in 2021, Pujols surely loved being on a contending team.
Time will tell if he joins another contender for the 2022 campaign.
The 10-time All-Star already has two World Series rings under his belt, and he’d obviously love to win another.
1. St. Louis Cardinals
A Pujols reunion with the St. Louis Cardinals would be a great sight for baseball fans to see.
When Pujols was let go by the Los Angeles Angles in the 2021 season, there were rumors connecting him to the Cardinals, but the two sides obviously didn’t link up.
Maybe things will be different this time around.
Pujols spent 11 legendary seasons with the Cardinals earlier in his career, and folks in St. Louis would love to have him back.
During his 11-year stint with St. Louis, he earned nine All-Star selections, three MVP awards, six Silver Sluggers, and maintained a crazy 1.037 OPS.
Both of Pujols’ aforementioned World Series rings came during that 11-year run as well.
The Cardinals are another team that struggled against left-handed pitching in 2021, so Pujols would be an intriguing fit.
Perhaps a reunion is in the cards.
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