Angels want future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols to be their next manager, but there’s a catch

It appears the Los Angeles Angels have made a decision on their next manager, although he has yet to agree.

According to a report from Sam Blum and Katie Woo of The Athleticthe job goes to Albert Pujols for as long as he wants it. “It is essentially Pujols’ choice whether he wants the job,” Blum and Woo wrote. According to the report, Pujols met with general manager Perry Minasian on Thursday evening and the meeting went well. Discussions about a deal are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached yet.

Albert Pujols is considered a frontrunner for the Angels job

It was reported just over a week ago that Pujols would interview for the job and be a front-runner. That was just a few days after it was reported that neither Ron Washington nor Ray Montgomery would be running again. Washington opened the 2025 season as skipper but was away most of the year due to quadruple bypass surgery, with Montgomery covering him on an interim basis. Torii Hunter has been too reported as a candidate, but Friday’s reporting suggests Hunter would only be a real consideration if things with Pujols fall through.

According to Blum and Woo, the Angels hope to make an official announcement before the World Series, although some contractual matters still need to be worked out. The report suggests that Pujols’ personal services contract could be a factor.

The 10-year, $240 million contract he signed with the Angels in 2011 included a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract for after his retirement as a player. He ended his playing career after the 2022 season. He was released by the Angels and then spent time with the Dodgers and Cardinals. In February 2023, he rejoined the Angels as a special assistant to fulfill that personal services pact. Since he’s only three seasons into that contract, there are still seven years left on his contract. It is not clear how the existing contract will affect what is negotiated to see him take the skipper job.

Albert Pujols’ managerial experience is lacking

Pujols has previously expressed interest in becoming a manager, but has no experience in affiliated ball, either as a manager or as a coach. Last season he managed Leones del Escogido, a Dominican winter ball team. The Leones won the Series Final against Tigres del Licey in seven games. Pujols will lead the Dominican Republic national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but would likely have to step away from that gig if he signs with the Angels.

Assuming the sides are able to cross the T’s and cross the I’s, Pujols will be in the Angels dugout once again. It feels like a fait accompli at this point, as Blum and Woo report that negotiations over the coaching staff have also already started. The report states that former big leaguer Ramón Martínez, brother of Pedro Martínez, is Pujols’ first choice as pitching coach. Barry Enright has been the Halos’ pitching coach for the past two years, but it’s quite common for new managers to make some coaching changes.

The Halos haven’t had a winning season since 2015. Mike Scioscia served as the club’s captain for a long time, from 2000 to 2018. Since then, while the club has struggled, there has been a lot more turnover. Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin, Washington and Montgomery have been at the helm in recent years. It seems like Pujols will likely be the next person to get the chance to turn the ship around.