Albert Pujols Out of the Running for Angels Manager Job
Sources confirmed that Albert Pujols is no longer being considered to be the manager of the Los Angeles Angels.
However, Pujols is scheduled for an interview for the manager position of the San Diego Padres this Wednesday.
The Baltimore Orioles had also shown interest in Pujols, although an interview has not yet been scheduled.
The Padres are among the eight teams looking for a new manager after Mike Shildt announced his retirement. The other teams are the Angels, Orioles, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies, and Minnesota Twins.
Pujols, 45 years old, is highly valued by the most influential players of the Padres, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.
Currently, Pujols is a special assistant to the Angels, as part of a 10-year, $10 million contract that was activated after his retirement in 2022. He interviewed with Angels general manager Perry Minasian on October 9, but talks between both teams have ended.
The Angels have granted permission to the Padres to interview Pujols.
Pujols has expressed a great interest in managing at the Major League level for years and led a Dominican winter league team, the Leones del Escogido, to a championship in January. Previously, he was named manager of the Dominican Republic for next year’s World Baseball Classic, although he would likely resign from that position if he gets a job in the Major Leagues this offseason.
The Angels declined the 2026 option in manager Ron Washington’s contract after the regular season.
