Angels want Albert Pujols to be manager, but there’s a catch

It appears the Los Angeles Angels have made up their thoughts about their subsequent supervisor, although he nonetheless has to agree. 

In keeping with a report from Sam Blum and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the job will go to Albert Pujols so long as he needs it. “It’s primarily Pujols’ selection of whether or not he needs the job,” Blum and Woo write. Per the report, Pujols met with normal supervisor Perry Minasian on Thursday evening and the assembly went effectively. Discussions on a deal are within the works, however there’s not but an settlement in place.

Albert Pujols has been thought of a front-runner for the Angels job

It was reported simply over per week in the past that Pujols would interview for the job and could be a front-runner. That was only a few days after it was reported that neither Ron Washington nor Ray Montgomery could be again within the job. Washington opened the 2025 season because the skipper however was away for a lot of the yr resulting from quadruple bypass surgical procedure, with Montgomery overlaying for him on an interim foundation. Torii Hunter has additionally been reported as a candidate however Friday’s reporting signifies that Hunter would solely be an actual consideration if issues fall by with Pujols.

Per Blum and Woo, the Angels hope to make an official announcement earlier than the World Collection, although there are nonetheless some contractual issues to work out. The report means that Pujols’s private providers contract could possibly be an element.

The ten-year, $240M contract he signed with the Angels in 2011 included a 10-year, $10M private providers contract for after his retirement as a participant. He completed his taking part in profession after the 2022 season. He had been launched by the Angels after which spent a while with the Dodgers and Cardinals. In February 2023, he rejoined the Angels as a particular assistant to honor that non-public providers pact. Since he’s solely three seasons into that deal, there are seven years left. It’s not clear how the present contract would impression no matter is being negotiated for him to take the skipper job.

Albert Pujols’ managerial expertise is missing

Pujols has beforehand expressed an curiosity in turning into a supervisor however has no expertise in affiliated ball, both as a supervisor or as a coach. He managed Leones del Escogido, a Dominican winter ball staff, final offseason. The Leones received the Serie Last over Tigres del Licey in seven video games. Pujols is slated to handle the Dominican Republic nationwide staff within the upcoming World Baseball Basic however would presumably must bow out of that gig if he indicators with the Angels.

Assuming the perimeters are in a position to cross the T’s and dot the I’s, then Pujols will probably be within the Angels dugout but once more. It appears like a fait accompli at this level, as Blum and Woo report that the teaching workers negotiations are additionally already in movement. The report notes that former large leaguer Ramón Martínez, brother of Pedro Martínez, is Pujols’s best choice for pitching coach. Barry Enright has been the Halos’ pitching coach for the previous two years however it’s pretty widespread for brand spanking new managers to make some teaching modifications.

The Halos haven’t had a successful season since 2015. Mike Scioscia had a future because the membership’s skipper, from 2000 to 2018. Since then, because the membership has struggled, there was much more turnover. Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin, Washington and Montgomery have been on the helm lately. It appears Pujols will possible be the subsequent man to get an opportunity to show the ship round.