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Albert Pujols ‘Shocked’ at Josh Hamilton Signing, Excited About ‘Scary’ Angels Lineup

Albert Pujols was last year’s biggest free-agent prize signed by the Los Angeles Angels. So what was his reaction to the team landing this offseason’s biggest free agent?

“I was shocked, I won’t lie to you,” Pujols told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

With the news that Josh Hamilton had agreed to a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels, Pujols picked up some serious protection in a lineup that should no doubt be the most feared offense in the game this year. Still, the three-time MVP recognizes that Los Angeles still needs to show up on gameday.

“It’s a scary lineup,” Pujols admitted. “But we still have to perform.”

It must be good for Los Angelenos to hear their slugger staying focused, considering the team’s struggles last season. After a high-spending offseason in which the Angels acquired both Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson, the team failed to make the playoffs. Now, with another $100-million man in the fold, they will be setting their sights on a championship again — and hoping for better results.

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