Albert Pujols wants to return in 2022

Slugger Albert Pujols plans to play winter ball in his native Dominican Republic in hopes of showing off for the 2022 Major League season as he wants to play next season, the O reported on Thursday.range County Register.

Pujols will play in the Dominican Republic for Escogido, who acquired his rights in a trade on Thursday. He has never played winter ball in the Dominican Republic, where the season ends in January.

The Santo Domingo native, who turns 42 in January, has just completed his 21st major league season.

Pujols sure wouldn’t cost as much as the last time he ran for free agency, when he signed a landmark 10-year, $ 240 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels after 11 years of production. elite with the St Louis Cardinals.

He did not complete that contract with the Angels, who released him in early May after Pujols reached just .198 with five homers in 24 games. But the veteran rebounded after joining the Dodgers less than two weeks later. Pujols has become a valuable fixture as a first baseman and back-up hitter, hitting .254 with 12 home runs in 85 games over the next 4.5 months.

Whether or not he returns next season, the longtime first baseman and designated hitter has cemented his Hall of Fame legacy. Pujols is fifth on the all-time home run list at 679 and third at 2,150 RBI, while having a batting average of 297. The 10-time .300 batter hit 30 home runs in one. season 14 times and the 40 or more seven times.