Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels. (Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports)
The Chicago White Sox should not a candidate to sign Albert Pujols in his free agency.
Even though long-time Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols was released last week, the Chicago White Sox should be one of the last teams who should consider signing him.
The idea of Pujols coming to the South Side would be to reunite him with his former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. While they won two World Series together over a decade ago, that was over a decade ago. Living in the past is not what is going to help the White Sox contend for their first World Series title since 2005. If they do sign him, it would be a massive mistake.
Here is why the White Sox should avoid signing Pujols at all costs in his extended free agency.
Chicago White Sox should not sign Albert Pujols at this time
Even though the Angels are eating the last little bit of that albatross of a 10-year contract, it is not like Pujols is a good player any more. If he could hit worth a lick, he would still be playing for the Halos instead of looking to join a new team. Besides, signing Pujols will take at-bats away from developing White Sox players like Yermin Mercedes and Andrew Vaughn at the big-league level.
Because the White Sox did not add Yoenis Cespedes in free agency this summer, why would they go after essentially the same player in Pujols and have an even bigger spotlight put on them. Though the White Sox are back in first place in the AL Central, they only hold a one-game lead over the Cleveland Indians and a 3.5-game lead over the quickly fading Kansas City Royals in early May.
Pujols may get signed by a team, but it should not be by the White Sox under any circumstances.