Carlos Gomez thinks Angels disrespected Albert Pujols with release

Former Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez was not happy with the Los Angeles Angels for releasing Albert Pujols, accusing the team of being disrespectful.

Carlos Gomez played 13 years in MLB. He’s seen many things, but he says he’s never seen something like the Angels did to Albert Pujols.

Suffice it to say, Gomez is not okay with Los Angeles releasing the 21-year veteran.

“When you release a guy, a future hall of fame, and a great person and a role model, that’s wrong,” Gomez said in a live stream.

He went even further than that in his admonishment of the Angels.

“You guys disrespect the game and disrespect Pujols and disrespect all the Latin players that sacrifice themselves to go to America and play baseball hard like Pujols did,” Gomez said.

Did the Angels disrespect Albert Pujols?

Gomez is hardly the only former MLB player to come down hard on the Angels. Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz also had harsh words for the organization.

But are they right?

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Pujols preferred to be released if his playing time was going to be reduced.

So basically, the Angels are giving Pujols what he wanted since their apparent intention was to take him out of the lineup.

Pujols is indeed a Hall of Famer, but the 41-year-old was batting .198 this season. His heyday with the Cardinals has long passed. Players get old. Acknowledging that they don’t have it anymore doesn’t erase the greatness they achieved.

Moreover, he was in the final year of a 10-year deal that netted him $253 million. The Angels’ obligation to Pujols financially is still being met.

It can be tough to see an all-time great wane at the end of his career, but Los Angeles is right to do what needs to be done for the sake of the team. Pujols will be just fine.