After his half-season run with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Albert Pujols is set to soon play winter ball in the Dominican Republic later this year.
Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana side Leones del Escogido announced on Thursday that they have acquired Pujols from the Gigantes del Cibao via a trade. Gigantes del Cibao drafted Pujols in the LIDOM’s draft in 2002, but he never featured with the team.
One may jump to conclusions that this could be a farewell tour for Pujols amid his uncertain future in MLB. But this may not be the case after all.
As a source told the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher, Pujols' call to play in winter ball with the Leones del Escogido signals that he “for sure” wants to return for what would be his 22nd season in the majors.
The season runs until January, although it is not known whether Pujols aspires to play the entirety of the campaign.
Pujols featured in a combined 118 total games over the previous campaign with the Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels. During his run with the Dodgers, Pujols was called upon to heavily feature against left-handed pitchers. Overall, he often found success in such matchups over the year, as he hit .294 and recorded 13 home runs in 139 at-bats against them.
It remains to be seen on which teams may show an interest in signing Pujols over the upcoming free agency period. The Dodgers have been tabbed as one possible landing spot, while a reunion with the St. Louis Cardinals has also been a much talked about destination in what could be a farewell tour for him next season.
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