The slugging first baseman's key numbers have dropped almost across the board for two consecutive years. The Angels, of course, hope that trend is reversible.Diminishing returns

Albert Pujols' age (32 this season) and recent decline in production suggest Angels may live to regret giving him a 10-year, $240-million deal. But some who know him say team will be amply rewarded.Reporting from St. Louis -- There are certain numbers related to Albert Pujols that should concern the Angels.

The Angels' new slugger was impressive even in high school, but somehow there were 401 players drafted ahead of him.Reporting from Kansas City, Mo. — It's hard to fathom the trajectory of a ball hit from home plate at Liberty High to an air-conditioning unit on the roof of a two-story building behind the left-center field fence.

There were plenty of big spenders in free agency, but which major league teams got the most for their money and which ones might wind up with buyer's remorse?This winter's free-agent class included a Prince (Fielder) who got a deal fit for a king and a reliever who came away looking like a pauper by major league salary standards.

The clubs were after the Japanese right-hander, who signed with the Texas Rangers for $60 million, since he was a teenager. But the pitcher followed an unwritten protocol and played first in Japan for several seasons.Clay Daniel remembers the first time he saw Yu Darvish in person. It was at a 2002 tryout on an island off the coast of Japan, when the lanky right-hander, who signed...

New GM Jerry Dipoto has been on the job less than three months, and already he has remade the Angels into championship contenders by signing premium free agents Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.Jerry Dipoto has been on the job less than three months and he's already accomplished so much as Angels general manager.

The Angels signed Pujols to a deal worth about $240 million. It won't all be recouped in ticket, concession and jersey sales, but the franchise's value may rise.The Angels signed Pujols to a deal worth about $240 million. It won't all be recouped in ticket, concession and jersey sales, but the franchise's value may rise.

Morales, who hasn't played since breaking his leg in the first half of the 2010 season, and the Angels avoid arbitration with the deal.Morales, who hasn't played since breaking his leg in the first half of the 2010 season, and the Angels avoid arbitration with the deal.

Details of the deal were not immediately available, but it's believed Morales and the Angels settled on a figure somewhere near his 2011 salary of $3 million.

At news conference to formally announce four-year, $33.5-million contract extension, the All-Star second baseman points to the team's off-season free-agent acquisitions as driving force behind his decision.At news conference to formally announce four-year, $33.5-million contract extension, the All-Star second baseman points to the team's off-season free-agent acquisitions...

The contract is thought to be worth $33.5 million and would allow the Angels to avoid the second baseman's final year of arbitration and lock Kendrick up through his first three years of free agency.The contract is thought to be worth $33.5 million and would allow the Angels to avoid the second baseman's final year of arbitration and lock Kendrick up through his first three...

Team reaches agreement with second baseman on a contract that will pay him between $35 million and $45 million.Team reaches agreement with second baseman on a contract that will pay him between $35 million and $45 million.

Kendrys Morales undergoing new tests on his ankle.Kendrys Morales undergoing new tests on his ankle.

Stress fracture will push Angels slugger's rehabilitation up to the start of spring training.Stress fracture will push Angels slugger's rehabilitation up to the start of spring training.

First baseman signed as a free agent in December is a scholar when it comes to hitting, so the veteran coach figures his job will be to help the slugger only when needed.First baseman signed as a free agent in December is a scholar when it comes to hitting, so the veteran coach figures his job will be to help the slugger only when needed.

The recently acquired slugger is guaranteed $240 million over 10 years and has a personal-services agreement worth at least $10 million.

Veteran outfielder Ryan Langerhans as well as longtime minor leaguers Eric Hurley and Robinzon Diaz will get invitations to spring training.Veteran outfielder Ryan Langerhans as well as longtime minor leaguers Eric Hurley and Robinzon Diaz will get invitations to spring training.

The signings of slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson raise expectations and should lift the team into baseball's elite, but there are still questions, particularly in the lineup and bullpen.The signings of slugger Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson raise expectations and should lift the team into baseball's elite, but there are still questions.

The Angels are banking on Albert Pujols being able to defy the odds and continue to be productive in the coming seasons, but there is evidence to the contrary.The Angels are banking on Albert Pujols being able to defy the odds and continue to be productive in the coming seasons, but there is evidence to the contrary.

The team will commit about $3 million to the switch-hitting first baseman, who hasn't played since breaking his left ankle in May of 2010. Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and Alberto Callaspo are also tendered contracts.The team will commit about $3 million to the switch-hitting first baseman, who hasn't played since breaking his left ankle in May of 2010. Howie Kendrick, Erick...

Signing Pujols isn't about money to the Angels' owner, it's about winning and excitement.Signing Pujols isn't about money to the Angels' owner, it's about winning and excitement.

The slugger, who agreed to a 10-year, $254-million deal on Thursday after a seemingly whirlwind courtship, says the Angels were tugging at his heart as he made his decision to leave St. Louis.The slugger, who agreed to a 10-year, $254-million deal on Thursday after a seemingly whirlwind courtship, says the Angels were tugging at his heart as he made his decision to leave St. Louis.

The recently signed slugger is introduced to the media and 5,000 fans on Saturday at Angel Stadium.The recently signed slugger is introduced to the media and 5,000 fans on Saturday at Angel Stadium.

Angels' trade for star slugger Albert Pujols and signing of pitcher C.J. Wilson have turned them from an afterthought to prime programming for Fox and ESPN, and added fire to rivalry with Rangers.Angels' trade for star slugger Albert Pujols and signing of pitcher C.J. Wilson have turned them from an afterthought to prime programming for Fox and ESPN, and added fire to rivalry with Rangers.

With increased ticket and merchandise sales, Angels will recoup much of the $254-million contract. And winning would help too.With increased ticket and merchandise sales, Angels will recoup much of the $254-million contract. And winning would help too.