With Albert Pujols available after the Los Angeles Angels designated him for assignment on Thursday, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa writes that the Cincinnati Reds are among five Major League Baseball teams that could take a chance on the future National Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman.
The Reds lost first baseman Joey Votto to a broken thumb Wednesday and he is expected to miss several weeks. Cincinnati could go with Alex Blandino, Kyle Farmer, or Mike Moustakas at first base, though none are ideal solutions (moving Moustakas to first would require moving Jonathan India or Nick Senzel to third, and open a hole elsewhere). Asking Pujols to play first base on an everyday basis at this point in his career isn't the best idea, but the Reds are an option.
In 180 career games against the Reds, Pujols has hit .344 with 47 home runs, 147 RBIs and 150 runs scored - with an OPS of 1.053.
The Enquirer's Bobby Nightengale wrote in 2019 that the Reds reportedly were the runner-up in Pujols' free agency sweepstakes in 2011.
"We thought we were going to get him," former Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told USA TODAY. "We thought he would certainly give our organization a lift with his presence, on and off the field."
Opinion: Albert Pujols wants to play, but his career may be over after being cut by Angels
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