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Angels Could Tap MLB Legend as Next Manager

The Los Angeles Angels could tap MLB legend Albert Pujols as their next manager. In an October 2 piece in the NY Post, insider John Heyman cited sources claiming that Angels owner Arte Moreno is very open to the idea of Pujols leading the team.

Pujols joined the Angels after signing a $250 million contract with the club during the 2011 offseason. He played for 10 years in Los Angeles, smashing over 200 homers with the team.

Now, Pujols’ name has emerged after the Angels moved on from Ron Washington as their manager. Washington missed a fair chunk of this past season as he underwent health issues.

The Angels declined to pick up Washington’s contract option for 2026, leaving a vacancy for next season. While there haven’t been many musings regarding potential candidates for Los Angeles’ bench boss role, it looks like the job is Pujols’ to lose.

According to Heyman, Pujols is very much interested in taking on the role. The Dominican-born slugger is currently under a personal services contract with the Angels. He holds a special advisor role. So, transitioning to the new role shouldn’t be a complicated situation for Pujols.

It remains to be seen if the Angels will consider other candidates for the role this offseason.


Pujols Has Track Record to Lead Angels

Albert Pujols has shown he can manage. He’s led championship teams in his native Dominican Republic. In particular, he led the Leones del Escogido to a Dominican league championship and the title in the Caribbean Series.

That track record makes him a solid choice for the Angels managerial seat. While his managerial experience may not focus on MLB, that likely won’t be an issue in Moreno’s eyes. Pujols seems to be the chosen candidate unless he somehow fails to impress.

That’s doubtful. The two sides seem committed to working something out. So, it could just be a matter of term and dollars and cents for a deal to happen.

The Angels are coming off a last-place finish, going 72-90, 18 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. A change in leadership could spark a turnaround for the woefully underachieving Angels.


Pujols Could Get Other Offers

With as many as eight managerial openings, the Angels may not be the only team to kick the tires on Albert Pujols. As Heyman noted, Pujols could slip through Los Angeles’ fingers if another club emerges.

While it’s tough to say which club, one might think that the Atlanta Braves or the San Francisco Giants may seem like an appealing alternative. If that’s the case, the Angels might have to up the ante to keep Pujols on the payroll.

Again, that’s uncertain at the moment. What does seem certain is the reports that Pujols will interview for the Angels gig soon. As such, a potential agreement could come without much delay. That’s something the organization will need to provide stability for the struggling club.

Adding a fan favorite as team manager could also help boost the club’s visibility. The team’s optics took a serious hit when Shohei Ohtani departed via free agency. That’s why bringing Pujols back into public view could offset that negative public perception.

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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports

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