Angels Swing for the Fences, Land Pujols, Wilson

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made the biggest free-agent deal in their history today when they reached an agreement with slugger Albert Pujols on a 10-year deal worth a reported $250 million.

"This is a monumental day for Angel fans and I could not be more excited," Angels owner Arte Moreno said.

It originally appeared Pujols would be remaining with the St. Louis Cardinals—the team he led to the World Series championship this year—after the Miami Marlins Wednesday pulled a 10-year, $220-million offer to Pujols. The Cardinals had offered Pujols nine years and more than $200 million.

But the Angels swooped in Wednesday night with their offer.

"Albert's career performance clearly speaks for itself," Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. "He has proven to be the best player of his generation."

Pujols, 31, has played his entire career in St. Louis, where he has had a .328 average, .420 on-base percentage, 445 home runs and 1,329 runs batted in. He is the only player in Major League Baseball history to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first 11 seasons, and the second player to have 10 straight 100-RBI seasons to open his career.

Pujols has hit 40 or more home runs six times in his career and scored 110 or more runs in eight seasons.

Last season he finished with a .299 batting average, the first time in his career he finished below .300.

The Angels also reached a five-year deal with All-Star pitcher C.J. Wilson, who had a 16-7 record with the Texas Rangers last season. The Marlins had also been courting Wilson.

—City News Service