Written by: Julian Austin
The Los Angeles Angels were primed to make big moves during the off-season, but I don’t think anyone ever envisioned top-tier free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson both packing their bags for the AL West. As the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings wrapped up last week the most newsworthy clubs were without a doubt the LA Angels and Miami Marlins (still hard to swallow that one). But, it was the Halos that claimed, in my opinion, the top hitter and the top pitcher of the offseason. Angels rookie GM Jerry DiPoto is on cloud nine, but might need a few aspirin after reeling in two players worth a combined $349 million.
Look back at opening day in 2011 and the Angels in Anaheim had the 4th highest payroll in baseball hovering around $139 million. Albert Pujols ($14.5 million) and C.J. Wilson ($7 million) now join Vernon Wells ($26.2 million), Torii Hunter ($18.5 million), and Dan Haren ($12.75 million) as top earning players on the club. Keep in mind this is an annual salary! Now is time for my favorite portion of the program. What could Albert and C.J. buy with their mega contracts? Just go with it…
For starters, according to Forbes Magazine: the Toronto Blue Jays ($337 million), Tampa Bay Rays ($331 million), Oakland Athletics ($307 million), and the Pittsburgh Pirates ($304 million) franchises.
87 million McDonald’s kids meals
4.1 million Tim Tebow jerseys…c’mon man!
360 McLaren F1’s valued at $970,000.
Chump change, right?
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