The 10-year, $250 million contract Albert Pujols signed with the Angels earlier this month was backloaded in order to help the team add free-agent pitcher C.J. Wilson, according to a source.
Pujols will take less money in the first two seasons of the contract.
He will make a base salary of $12 million in 2012 and $16 million in 2013, said a source.
His salary will gradually increase until it surpasses $30 million annually near the end of the deal.
Source: Pujols Backloaded Deal To Help Angels Sign Wilson