[rats60]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

The statistical evidence is undeniable.

That reality is long over, to the point where he is hurting his team, and embarrassing himself.

In 2017, his OPS+ was 80. As an offensive player, he was 20% below league average. As a whole player, he was worth -1.9 WAR. And the team paid him $26 million for the privilege of penciling a below replacement level player into the lineup.

In 2018, his OPS+ was 91, and he rebounded slightly to be worth 0.8 WAR. For $27 million, they got a substitute level player.

In 2019, his OPS+ was 92. He was worth 0.5 WAR for $28 million.

This year, he’s getting paid $29 million, and has been worth 0.3 WAR.

The fact that “lots of other players deteriorate over time” and keep playing doesn’t make this right. They weren’t right to do it, and neither is Pujols.

When a player continues taking the field every day, and they are a detriment to the team, that is selfish. I still like Pujols (and here’s a novel concept, ClementeFanOh: it is possible to criticize a player, and still like them). Yes, I absolutely think he is being selfish now. Continuing on in pursuit of some records, is motivated by vanity.

What else is he doing? Don’t tell me that Albert has dreams of reaching the World Series one more time, because this team, at 22-30, isn’t sniffing the playoffs. Unless Albert has the worst financial planner in history, he doesn’t need the money. He’s not trying to secure a spot in the Hall of Fame. That’s been done. So why is he playing still? And don’t give me some saccharine-coated “he’s playing for love of the game” bullshit. I doubt very much that Albert enjoys not being able to run. I doubt that Albert, who until recently was a career .300 hitter, enjoys hitting a combined .243 over the last four years, and having a .293 OBP over that span. Albert Pujols played the game at the highest level. Now he’s a shadow of his former self. Every step is painful. He runs slower than I do, now.

This is just not true. You say the evidence is undeniable and post evidence that refutes your opinion. Only one time in the last 4 years has Pujols had a negative effect on the Angels.

When a player continues to take the field, he is doing his job. I think you fail to realize how things work. Pujols doesn't fill out the lineup card, the manager does. The manager's job is to put the best team on the field and that includes Pujols in his opinion. If you disagree, try getting the job.

Your anger is misplaced. The only blame is the Angels front office who have drafted poorly, traded poorly and done a bad job at signing free agents. So their best lineup includes Pujols.

The only BS is your claim that Pujols should retire. He signed a contract with the Angels and it is both parties duty to honor the contract. The Angels can not put him on the roster or in the lineup if they choose. If someone sold you a card too cheap and then decided to back out and sell the card for more after the deal was agreed upon and you paid, you would be upset. No doubt the Angels made a bad deal, they are still living up to their end as is Pujols.