Albert Pujols in Talks with Angels for Managerial Role
Albert Pujols Poised to Become Angels’ New Manager: Talks in Progress
Albert Pujols is on the brink of becoming the next manager for the Los Angeles Angels, bringing him back to the team where he was once a pivotal player. Discussions with General Manager Perry Minasian are underway, although an official agreement is yet to be finalized. Pujols’s meeting with the Angels reportedly went well, marking him as the frontrunner for the position.
Pujols’s Managerial Prospects: A Closer Look
The opportunity for Pujols emerged after it was confirmed that neither Ron Washington nor Ray Montgomery would return as the Angels’ manager. Washington was initially in the role but had to step down due to health issues, with Montgomery stepping in temporarily.
The selection of Pujols, however, hinges on several factors, including discussions around his existing personal services contract with the Angels. This contract, part of his $240 million agreement from 2011, includes a ten-year personal services arrangement worth $10 million, which commenced after his retirement as a player at the end of the 2022 season. How this contract will affect his potential new role is yet to be determined.
Potential Coaching Changes and Future Plans
If Pujols takes on the managerial role, changes in the coaching staff are likely. Ramón Martínez, a former major league player and brother of Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez, is reportedly Pujols’s preferred candidate for pitching coach. Currently, Barry Enright holds that role.
The Angels have struggled to achieve a winning season since 2015, experiencing high turnover in management roles. Previous managers, including Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, and Phil Nevin, have all sought to guide the team back to success, but without lasting results.
Pujols’s Previous Leadership Experience
Though inexperienced in major league management, Pujols has demonstrated leadership in other arenas. He managed Leones del Escogido to victory in the Dominican Winter League’s Serie Final and is slated to manage the Dominican Republic national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. However, should he commit to managing the Angels, he would likely have to forgo this international opportunity.
An official announcement regarding Pujols’s potential new role could be made before the World Series, pending resolution of contractual details. The Angels, along with Pujols, appear eager to finalize the terms and usher in a new era of management, hopeful to restore the team to its former glory.
