Pitcher C.J. Wilson parked his car and laughed while signing autographs for fans he couldn't see who handed bats, balls and cards to the pitcher from the other side of a brick wall. An early rite of spring training complete, Wilson, one of the Los Angeles Angels' new big-ticket additions, headed to the clubhouse.
"You're the man, C.J.," one fan yelled to the lefthander, who signed a $77.5 million contract in December. He's the man for one day, and one day only. Today, Albert Pujols is scheduled to arrive at the team's spring training camp in Tempe, Ariz.
The former Cardinals slugger rocked baseball this winter by signing a roughly $250 million contract with the Angels and instantly transforming them into the team to beat in the American League. The plans are for the three-time MVP to greet his new teammates today, take some grounders at first base and then have batting practice inside Tempe Diablo Stadium before holding a news conference at a resort hotel across the street. The Angels have booked an amphitheater to handle the expected media crush.
"Pujolspalooza" begins.
The 32-year-old's locker, situated just inside the main clubhouse door and between the stalls of Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter, was stacked Sunday with new cleats, jerseys, jackets and everything else he'll need for the next six weeks in Arizona. At least the Angels' red and white match the colors Pujols wore with the Cardinals.
However, from the manager, to the league, to the fans, to the city he'll now adopt as his in-season home, everything else will be brand new for Pujols.
During his lunch break from meetings with coaches, Angels manager Mike Scioscia initially tried to act as if this was just a typical spring for his team. It's anything but, as he eventually acknowledged.
"I'll admit there's a little different excitement this year," Scioscia said.
Before connecting for his first homer for the Halos, Pujols already has altered his new club dramatically. He's sold tickets and merchandise. He's raised the Angels' profile and their expectations. And, as one of the most feared hitters of his generation, Pujols has given them a frightful presence in the middle of their lineup. Mark Trumbo didn't mind being kicked off first base and moved to third to make room for Pujols.
Trumbo, raised in Orange County, Calif., pulled for the Angels long before he played for them. He's got a good sense of the team's history, and the signing of Pujols, who many thought would stay in St. Louis, caused a reaction unlike anything before it.
"It was awesome, he said. "I haven't seen a buzz like that — ever," Trumbo said.
• Angels first baseman and designated hitter Kendrys Morales has been cleared to run outdoors, the next step in his recovery from a broken ankle that sidelined him all of last season. Scioscia is "more optimistic" that Morales, who hit .306 with 34 homers and 108 RBIs in 2009, will be able to fill a role for the club this season, perhaps as DH in the cleanup spot behind Pujols.
Trade • Pittsburgh completed a deal that was in the work for several days by obtaining pitcher A.J. Burnett from the Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers. New York also will give the Pirates cash to cover part of Burnett's hefty salary. Pittsburgh will pay $13 million of the $33 million salary due him for 2012 and 2013, a source said.
Giants • Pitcher Ryan Vogelsong strained his back while lifting weights recently and will miss at least the first 10 days of spring training workouts while he recovers. Vogelsong, 34, set a career high for wins last season when he was 13-7 with a 2.71 ERA in 30 games (28 starts).
Phillies • Pitcher Kyle Kendrick, who went 8-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 34 games for Philadelphia last year, agreed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the team. Kendrick, 27, made 15 starts.
From news services
