Albert Pujols and Nelson Cruz are the biggest names in the group of nearly 30 Dominican players on Major League Baseball’s free agent list.
Pujols fulfilled his contract after being released by the Los Angeles Angels and rescued, after going through the waivers process, by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The future Hall of Famer was in action with the Lions of the Chosen in the winter baseball tournament. However, there are reports that Pujols would be inclined to announce his retirement in the coming days. He is a two-time World Series champion with two Gold Gloves, three Most Valuable Player awards, six Silver Sluggers, a batting title, a Rookie of the Year and 10 All-Star games. He has already surpassed 3,000 hits and 2,000 RBIs, but 21 home runs separate him from the 700 mark. His salary income in the Major Leagues exceeds 344 million dollars. Cruz, winner of the Roberto Clemente Award for his humanitarian work, is a 449-homer producer who ended up with the Tampa Bay Rays after being traded by the Minnesota Twins. The adoption of the universal designated hitter, as everything seems to indicate, could include the next labor agreement discussed by the commissioner of the Major Leagues and the players’ union, would give more job options to both Pujols (42 years old) and Cruz (41). Seven all-star games and four silver sluggers are included in the background of Cruz, who established himself in the Major Leagues late (29 years old) and has earned over $124 million in his career. The list is completed by the infielders Ronald Guzmán, Luis Marte, Yairo Muñoz, Robel García, Wilmer Difó, Danny Santana, José Marmolejos, Jonathan Villar, Hanser Alberto and Starlin Castro. Also included are outfielders Jorge Bonifacio, Abraham Almonte and Juan Lagares. Pitchers include Richard Rodríguez, Juan Minaya, Reyes Moronta, Félix Peña, César Valdez, Edgar García, Edgar Santana, Miguel Díaz, David Paulino, Michael Pineda, Johnny Cueto, Wily Peralta, José Ureña, Carlos Martínez and Ervin Santana. Other free agent Creole pitchers are Wander Suero, Keury Mella, Neftalí Feliz, Yency Almonte, Yefry Ramírez, Reymín Guduán, Alex Colomé, Fernando Abad, Hansel Robles, Dellin Betances, Pedro Strop and Jeurys Familia.