In a conference call with media, Freese said he got a welcoming text from Pujols and responded with a reference to the 2011 World Series: "Remember what we did the last time we played together? Let's go try to do that again."

Freese didn't think his drop-off in production last season had anything to do with the pressure of being the "hometown kid."

"Obviously, I'm a little sad closing this chapter, but I'm extremely pumped about joining the Angels," Freese said. "If it was going to go down, I wanted it to happen on a team like the Angels."

St. Louis obtained a new starting center fielder in Peter Bourjos, plus outfield prospect Randal Grichuk. The Cardinals also sent reliever Fernando Salas to the Angels.

The 30-year-old was the MVP of the 2011 NL championship series and the World Series, setting a major league record with 21 postseason RBIs and hitting a game-ending, 11th-inning home run in Game 6.

Freese injured his back chasing a foul ball into the stands during spring training this year and never hit stride. He hit only .179 in this year's postseason, going 3-for-19 (.158) with no RBIs in the six-game loss to Boston in the World Series.


METS, YOUNG AGREE TO DEAL


The Mets' outfield is getting Younger.

In their first significant move of the offseason, the Mets agreed with outfielder Chris Young on a $7.25 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

The agreement is subject to a physical, the person said Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the deal was not yet final.

A 30-year-old outfielder, Young hit .200 with 12 homers and 40 RBIs last season for Oakland, which acquired him from Arizona as part of a three-team trade after the 2012 season. His best year was 2010, when he batted .257 for the Diamondbacks with 27 homers and 91 RBIs.

Young joins a projected outfield that includes Eric Young Jr. — the NL stolen base leader — and Juan Lagares. Andrew Brown also is competing for a job.

Coming off its fifth straight losing season, New York has more payroll flexibility this offseason.

Young made $8.5 million in the final guaranteed season of a $28 million, five-year contract, and the Athletics turned down an $11 million option.


HAWKINS RETURNS TO COLORADO


Relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and the Colorado Rockies finalized their $2.5 million, one-year contract on Friday.

Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closer's role at spring training. The right-handed Hawkins was 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 13 saves this year for the New York Mets, who wanted to re-sign him but were not willing to pay that much.

This will be Hawkins' 20th straight big league season and his second stop in the Mile High City. He played a big role in the bullpen in 2007, when the Rockies made their only run to the World Series before being swept by the Boston Red Sox.

He gets a $2.25 million salary next season, and the Rockies have a $2.25 million option for 2015 with a $250,000 buyout.

Contributors: The Associated Press, Jason O. Boyd

PHOTOS: World Series 2013 in photos