Albert Pujols is back home.
The former MVP and future Hall-of-Famer signed with his old club, the St. Louis Cardinals, on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
He’ll reunite with his former teammates Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina, bringing the Cards’ legendary trio back together for one final season.
Of course, none of this would be possible if not for one thing, that being the new rule that was added in the recently signed CBA, the universal designated hitter.
When Pujols became available last season after being let go by the Los Angeles Angels, there was no fit for him in St. Louis without the universal DH and with Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
But things have changed this year, opening up the door for the former franchise icon to make his triumphant return to the Gateway City.
Corey Dickerson shreds RHP.
Albert Pujols shreds LHP.Dickerson makes $5 million. Pujols is making $2.5 million before incentives.
Seems like a fine #STLCards cheap special kind of DH platoon. I can dig it.
Now sign Jeff Suppan!
— Dan Buffa (@buffa82) March 28, 2022
A Dynamic DH Duo
With Pujols in the fold, the Cardinals expect to have a solid platoon at the designated hitter position between him and the newly signed Corey Dickerson.
Pujols still mashes left-handed pitching, while Dickerson mashes right-handed pitching.
This is also cost-efficient platoon for the Cardinals.
Pujols is making $2.5 million, while Dickerson’s deal is worth $5 million.
A cheap and productive platoon at the DH spot is a plus for the Cards.
But none of this would be possible without the universal DH being added.
Cardinals’ fans have gotten their wish, that being to see their former superstar return to St. Louis for one last ride with Wainwright and Molina.
We’ll see how this platoon serves the Cards in 2022.
On paper, this looks great, and with Pujols back in the fold, the Cardinals can now turn their focus to winning their 12th World Series title.
NEXT: Cardinals Have Their Historic Trio Back Together Again