What we do know is that Albert Pujols signed with the Los Angeles Angels for 10 years and roughly $254 million. What we don't know are the exact details of the contract, the year-by-year breakdown of the salaries and other details. Well, now thanks to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, we have some details, including the fact that the deal for Pujols is heavily backloaded.
Crasnick reported that Pujols took less up front in order to help the Angels land C.J. Wilson, the top free agent starting pitcher on the market. Wilson signed a five-year, $77.5 million deal to land in Anaheim. Pujols, according to Crasnick, will earn $12 million in 2012 and $16 million in 2013, with his salaries surpassing $30 million in the final years of the 10-year pact.
This means the Angels have roughly $129 million committed to 14 players in 2012 (thanks to the always helpful Cot's Baseball Contracts for some of the details).
| Angels 2012 Payroll Commitments |
||
| Pos | Player | Salary |
| OF | Vernon Wells | $21,000,000 |
| OF |
Torii Hunter |
$18,000,000 |
| SP | Jered Weaver | $14,000,000 |
| SP | Dan Haren | $12,750,000 |
| 1B | Albert Pujols | $12,000,000 |
| SP | Ervin Santana | $11,200,000 |
| SP | C.J. Wilson | $10,500,000 |
| DH | Bobby Abreu | $9,000,000 |
| LHP | Scott Downs | $5,000,000 |
| LHP | Hisanori Takahashi | $4,200,000 |
| IF | Maicer Izturis | $3,800,000 |
| C | Chris Iannetta | $3,550,000 |
| RHP | LaTroy Hawkins | $3,000,000 |
| SP | Jerome Williams | $820,000 |
| Totals | $128,820,000 | |
There are also arbitration raises due to Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Kendrys Morales, and Alberto Callaspo, who made a combined $11.275 million in 2011. Without any other moves, the Angels figure to have a payroll somewhere in the $150 million range in 2012.
For more on the Angels, head over to Halos Heaven.