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Anaheim- Major League Baseball’s balance of power shifted drastically to the west this week when All-Star free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson joined reliever Latroy Hawkins to form a dynamic new core for the team. This “Big 3” rivals the free agency haul of last year’s Miami Heat, and is sure to bring a similar amount of attention to what was once SoCal’s “other” baseball team.
Hawkins, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers, set the stage for the rapid-fire signings earlier this week by agreeing to a 1-year, $3 million contract to become a key cog in the Angels’ bullpen. After the team shored
up that weakness, prized free agents Pujols and Wilson had no reservations about joining the squad that missed the playoffs last year.[LEFT- Hawkins, Pujols, and Wilson forged a deep and enduring friendship during their time on Team USA. Now, that friendship has brought them together in Anaheim.]
Pujols spoke to reporters about how important it was for the team to lock down Hawkins. “I had a very tough choice between staying with the defending champions in St. Louis or taking a little more money to infuriate all of the fans who have supported me for the last ten years. I was not about to take that risk with a team that did not have a rock-solid bullpen to lock down games. Signing Hawkins really signaled that this Angels team means business and cares deeply about winning, which is exactly why I wanted to come here to play.”
Signing Hawkins was the first major move by new General Manager Jerry Dipoto, who joined the staff from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this fall. Dipoto noted that the Diamondbacks made last year’s playoffs due in part to a much improved bullpen that helped protect leads better than in years past, and he wanted to replicate that success in Anaheim. Without signing Hawkins, he said, the Pujols and Wilson signings- which amount to a combined $325 million- would have been frivolous and without merit.
Hawkins earned his salary by appearing in 52 games for the Brewers last year and accumulating a 2.42 ERA. Only three starting pitchers in the National League- Clayton Kershaw, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee- had a lower ERA than Hawkins, and none of them appeared in anywhere near 52 games. Additionally, Hawkins brings with him the expertise and inside knowledge of having played for almost every team in the Major Leagues. After starting his career with the Twins, Hawkins, who will turn 38 later this month, had stints with the Cubs, Giants, Orioles, Rockies, Yankees, Astros, and Brewers. Whenever the Angels play any of those teams, his firsthand knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses will be invaluable.
Wilson, who signed after leading the rival Texas Rangers to consecutive World Series, added that the Hawkins addition set a tone of selflessness in the clubhouse. “It was really gracious for Latroy to take such a small salary compared to Albert and me,” Wilson said at his introductory press conference. “If he had demanded more money, the team probably would not have had enough left over to sign both of us. Even though he is only making about 1% of the salaries that we are making, I think he deserves 100% of the credit for this plan coming together.”
The “plan” to which Wilson referred is an infamous pact between Pujols, Wilson, and Hawkins that took place at Hawkins’ bachelor party in the 2004 offseason. The three agreed that they would time their contracts to all run out after the 2011 season, then join each other to play together and win championship with whichever team could afford to pay them all their desired salaries. Many questioned whether that pact would hold up. Today we have the answer.
When asked for comment, newly acquired Angels catcher Chris Iannetta said, “Hey, what about me?”
Pujols spoke to reporters about how important it was for the team to lock down Hawkins. “I had a very tough choice between staying with the defending champions in St. Louis or taking a little more money to infuriate all of the fans who have supported me for the last ten years. I was not about to take that risk with a team that did not have a rock-solid bullpen to lock down games. Signing Hawkins really signaled that this Angels team means business and cares deeply about winning, which is exactly why I wanted to come here to play.”
Signing Hawkins was the first major move by new General Manager Jerry Dipoto, who joined the staff from the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this fall. Dipoto noted that the Diamondbacks made last year’s playoffs due in part to a much improved bullpen that helped protect leads better than in years past, and he wanted to replicate that success in Anaheim. Without signing Hawkins, he said, the Pujols and Wilson signings- which amount to a combined $325 million- would have been frivolous and without merit.
Hawkins earned his salary by appearing in 52 games for the Brewers last year and accumulating a 2.42 ERA. Only three starting pitchers in the National League- Clayton Kershaw, Roy Halladay, and Cliff Lee- had a lower ERA than Hawkins, and none of them appeared in anywhere near 52 games. Additionally, Hawkins brings with him the expertise and inside knowledge of having played for almost every team in the Major Leagues. After starting his career with the Twins, Hawkins, who will turn 38 later this month, had stints with the Cubs, Giants, Orioles, Rockies, Yankees, Astros, and Brewers. Whenever the Angels play any of those teams, his firsthand knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses will be invaluable.
Wilson, who signed after leading the rival Texas Rangers to consecutive World Series, added that the Hawkins addition set a tone of selflessness in the clubhouse. “It was really gracious for Latroy to take such a small salary compared to Albert and me,” Wilson said at his introductory press conference. “If he had demanded more money, the team probably would not have had enough left over to sign both of us. Even though he is only making about 1% of the salaries that we are making, I think he deserves 100% of the credit for this plan coming together.”
The “plan” to which Wilson referred is an infamous pact between Pujols, Wilson, and Hawkins that took place at Hawkins’ bachelor party in the 2004 offseason. The three agreed that they would time their contracts to all run out after the 2011 season, then join each other to play together and win championship with whichever team could afford to pay them all their desired salaries. Many questioned whether that pact would hold up. Today we have the answer.
When asked for comment, newly acquired Angels catcher Chris Iannetta said, “Hey, what about me?”
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