MIAMI (AP) — Albert Pujols’ first free-agent tour is off to a surprising start: The three-time NL MVP visited the Florida Marlins.
Pujols had lunch Friday with Marlins officials and toured their new ballpark, a person familiar with the discussions said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t commented publicly.
It was unknown whether the notoriously thrifty franchise made a contract offer before Pujols departed. Free agents Jose Reyes and left-hander Mark Buehrle also took ballpark tours during visits earlier this week.
The 31-year-old Pujols is a free agent for the first time after spending his first 11 major league seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pujols helped the Cardinals win the World Series this season.
