Pujols feeling good about future: 'I can play until I'm 50'

Look out, Pete Rose. Albert Pujols is coming for you.

OK, Maybe the all-time hits record isn't in jeopardy just yet. But Pujols, the Los Angeles Angels' aging star, believes he's got plenty left in the tank after getting through the 2019 season healthy.

The 39-year-old feels so good heading into this winter that he's already considering what will happen after his $240-million contract with the Angels expires in two years. Pujols doesn't foresee his career ending when that deal expires.

"I think the way I train and my dedication and my discipline I have in this game, if I am healthy I can play until I'm 50," Pujols told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register on Friday. "I don't have any doubt in myself. I still have that drive to compete every day. The fire is there. I think it's always going to be there for me until the day I'm done."

Pujols' 2019 production is an improvement on a macro level. While his .245/.306/.433 slash line remains a far cry from his Cardinals heyday, it's a step up from the veteran's miserable, injury-riddled 2018 season, and the first time in three years his OBP has been above .300.

Most importantly, he managed to avoid the injured list while playing a majority of his games in 2019 at first base for the first time in years - a major feat after losing much of 2018 to knee surgery.

Pujols also enjoyed a milestone season while joining the exclusive 2,000-RBI club, moving into the top five all time in extra-base hits, and becoming the first to hit 650 homers and doubles. He could move into fifth on the home-run list as early as next April.

The 10-time All-Star expects to build on this season and continue to produce for the Angels in 2020 and beyond. Even if he's not still on the diamond at 50, the future Hall of Famer insists his story is far from over.

"Whether it's tomorrow or in spring training, if I feel one day the fire is not there, it doesn't matter how much money is left on my contract, it's time to go," he said. "But I don't see that happening (yet). Because this year this is the most fun I had because I was healthy and I was able to do things I wasn't able to do in the past."