Retired Pujols open to coaching role in future
Albert Pujols is open to transitioning into coaching. Eventually. Just not yet.
The retired slugger popped into the St. Louis Cardinals‘ spring training camp Thursday to visit with former teammates, and while he believes coaching or some other role within Major League Baseball will happen, he’s not eager to give a timetable.
“Listen, 23 years and 24 years following a schedule from February all the way to October is tough,” said Pujols, who retired in October after 22 years split mostly between the Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels. “Now I have the freedom to have my own schedule. That’s something that I’m grateful about.”
Pujols spent a week as a special assistant with the Angels in Arizona shortly after camp opened but the dalliance was just that. He’s embracing retired life after a career that ended with 703 home runs, fourth on the all-time list.
The future Hall of Famer likely wouldn’t have to look hard to find work whenever the time comes. Yet he’s in no hurry. There’s too much golf to play, too many members of his family to visit for now. He even made an appearance in the NBA celebrity game as part of the league’s All-Star Weekend last month.
Pujols stressed he wasn’t going to put a “stamp” on when the right time will be to return to the game in a larger capacity.
“If it happens next year, it’s great,” he said. “Knowing myself, I think I’ll let that moment come and I’ll revisit if it’s something I think that works, I’ll do it for sure.”
MILWAUKEE — Brewer Hicklen is no longer a Brewer.
The outfielder was traded by the Brewers to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for cash. The move comes a day after he was designated for assignment.
The 29-year-old Hicklen scored a run but went hitless in four plate appearances for Milwaukee last season while appearing in six games. He also hit .246 with 22 homers, 72 RBI and 44 steals in 115 games with Triple-A Nashville.
When Milwaukee called him up last September, it marked the first time in franchise history that the Brewers’ roster had a player named Brewer.
Hicklen also appeared in six games with the Kansas City Royals in 2022.
PHOENIX — Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt agreed to a five-year, $45 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday as the team continues its push to secure its young standouts on long-term contracts.
Pfaadt’s deal begins in 2026 and includes a club option for 2031 and a mutual option in 2032.
Pfaadt, 26, was one of the team’s most consistent pitchers last season, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 4.71 ERA while setting career highs in wins, starts (32), innings pitched (181⅔) and strikeouts (185).
Pfaadt also gave the team an unexpected boost during its postseason run to the World Series in 2023, going 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA over five starts.
He’ll make $799,400 this year before the new contract kicks in next season.
Pfaadt’s deal is the latest example of the D-backs signing young players to long-term extensions, joining shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (four years, $45 million) and reliever Justin Martinez (five years, $18 million).
Pfaadt was a fifth-round pick out of Bellarmine in 2020.
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