Albert Pujols is once again being linked to an MLB manager opening.
Pujols is being mentioned as a candidate for the Los Angeles Angels job, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Pujols is already on the team’s payroll by virtue of the personal services contract he signed with the team when he originally joined them as a free agent prior to the 2012 season.
Albert Pujols, Torii Hunter and Michael Young loom as potential candidates to become the next Angels manager.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 30, 2025
Pujols, who wants to manage, is already on the payroll, being paid $1 million annually in his 10-year personal services contract.
The Angels on Tuesday decided not to pick up manager Ron Washington’s contract option for 2026, meaning the job is open. Washington had hoped to return for another season despite missing most of the season after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery.
Pujols has long showed interest in managing. He managed Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Professional Baseball League to a winter league championship less than a year ago, and is also slated to manage the Dominican Republic team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Previously, Pujols has rather predictably been linked to the St. Louis Cardinals job, but it has never opened up for him. He did spend ten seasons with the Angels, so he would be walking into a familiar spot.
One wonders if Pujols might prefer to wait for a better opening. The Angels have not made the playoffs since 2014 and have not had a winning season since 2015. They went 72-90 this season, an improvement on 2024, but still do not look too close to contention.
