JUPITER, Fla. — The morning after the Cardinals made their most significant free-agent signing of last season, manager Oliver Marmol asked young prospect Juan Yepez into his office for a systems check. For weeks, Yepez auditioned to be a right-handed option at designated hitter and then, with the regular season in view, the manager sat across from him and watched as the rookie learned a new addition would erase his chance to make the team.
That was the day Albert Pujols walked to Juan Yepez’s life.
Took his job.
And changed his career — for the better.