LOS ANGELES, CA (The Spread) – With the news that the Angels have signed free agent slugger Albert Pujols to a new deal, oddsmakers have already adjusted the odds for the 2012 World Series.
On Thursday, Pujols signed a 10-year contract with the Angels that is reportedly worth $254 million. The first baseman actually rejected a bigger offer from the Marlins for $275 million and also passed on the opportunity to re-sign with the Cardinals, who offered nearly $50 million less than the deal Pujols agreed to with the Angels.
Not surprisingly, the Angels’ 2012 World Series odds improved while the Cardinals’ odds of repeating dropped. Before Pujols signed with L.A., the Angels were a 22/1 long shot and following his signing, they’re now 12/1. St. Louis, on the other hand, went from 14/1 to 18/1 following Pujols’ departure.
View Current 2012 World Series Odds
The news comes as a shock to many St. Louis fans, who have had a deep love for Pujols almost since the day he made his MLB debut on April 2, 2001. During his time with the Cardinals, he helped the club win two World Series titles (2006, 2011), went to nine All-Star Games and won three NL MVP Awards. He also collected six Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Gloves and was the 2001 NL Rookie of the Year.
But now he’s on his way to Southern California where he’ll presumably finish his career. He has a no-trade clause worked into his new deal with the Angels, so he’ll most likely wrap up his time in baseball as a designated hitter. The Halos also signed the top free agent pitcher on the market in C.J. Wilson, who helped the Texas Rangers reach back-to-back World Series the past two seasons.
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