sportsjabber.net

It’s still wild to me that the Los Angeles Angels snapped up Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson at pretty much the same time. I went to bed a few Wednesdays ago with both of those players available on the free-agent market. When I woke up, the Angels had signed the best free-agent position player, and the best free-agent pitcher. It was an overwhelming morning. It would have been an overwhelming morning even if my job weren’t to write about baseball.

Soon thereafter, details of Wilson’s contract emerged. He will earn $10 million in 2012, and then his salary climbs all the way up to $20 million in 2016. It is, therefore, heavily backloaded.

And so, it turns out, is Albert Pujols’ contract. From Jerry Crasnick:

Pujols agreed to a backloaded deal — taking significantly less money in the first two years — to aid the Angels in their pursuit of free agent pitcher C.J. Wilson, baseball sources told ESPN.com.

Pujols will make a base salary of $12 million in 2012 and $16 million in 2013, said a source.

Towards the end, Pujols’ salary will exceed $30 million. In 2012, though, Pujols and Wilson will combine to make $22 million. Plus $0.5 million for part of Wilson’s signing bonus, and any additional incentives. For the sake of perspective, Torii Hunter will make $18 million next season. Vernon Wells will make $21 million. Alex Rodriguez will make $29 million.

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/12/29/2669257/albert-pujols-contract-angels-cj-wilson