Ok, what can Albert Pujols do, and is he worth a roster spot?

[The Polack MSgt]

Well....

As an every day DH/back up 1st baseman, the answers are "not much" and "no"

But hold on a minute.

Those spots on the bench are less valuable now with a 28 man roster, and it looks like the Dodgers cracked the Pujols code in the second half of the year.

Here's his stats from 2021 with the dodgers.

GP AB R H RBI BB SO HR Avg
85 189 20 48 38 11 32 12 .254

He played as the DH against lefties and as a power threat off the bench against lefty relievers - which is only possible because of the "must face 3 batters" relief pitching rule enacted a couple years ago.

So Albert comes back to STL 21 home runs shy of 700 and I believe he can get there.

Here's why - While Busch Stadium is not a band box like Cincinnati, it is easier to find the seats here compared to Dodgers Stadium, the most notorious pitchers park in the MLB

Also, since he's back in the NL central he gets to play in Cincy and Pittsburgh pretty often, and uhhmm, they both suck. Their ballparks don't do a great job containing fly balls either.

So, if (and yeah it's a big if at his age) he can stay healthy 700 homers are in play

[bottrott]

1. One of the greats, but...

watching him over the past few seasons it is obvious that just running the bases can cause him injury. He was never a pretty runner, but in multiple games he could be seen darn near limping home. That also makes him a detriment should he just get on base as he's easy pickns' so must be replaced with a pinch runner more often than other DH's limiting game options a club has with him on the roster.

[brush]

3. Maybe he and the Cardinals did this so he can retire as a Cardinal.

It can be done now that the NL has the dh too. Probably won't go the whole season.

[Auggie]

2. IMO, and as a Giants fan, he made a big impact with the Dodgers

Our pitchers had to be really careful with him.

He'll need a lot of at bats and a good spot in the line-up to hit 21. Though I loathe the DH, it's perfect for him.

[The Polack MSgt]

4. If he hits like last year, he'll need around 300 ABs & that's hard to get in a limited role

But - he'll get 8 Games in Great American Ball Park and 8 in PNC Park

That should be a boost, and playing home games in St Louis, helps too.

Not betting the mortgage on it but I feel like 700 is reachable

[Brother Buzz]

5. The Cardinals bean counters think so

Home run sluggers fill the stands, base hitters win the games.