Albert Pujols is no longer the only contender for the Angels’ managerial opening. The team plans to interview more candidates for the position, a team source told The Athletic, changing course from their initial line of thinking. Pujols remains the favorite for the job, the source said, though owner Arte Moreno has decided he wants a more thorough process.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian will conduct any additional interviews, which are expected to include two of Minasian’s special assistants, Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki, both former Angels players.
The team also hopes to speak with Texas Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, ex-Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, and possibly ex-Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. It’s unclear if any of those conversations have taken place, or if there’d be mutual interest.
The Angels spoke with Pujols in St. Louis on Oct. 9, in a meeting that is believed to have gone well. It’s unclear if there was any snag in the discussions or if Moreno simply changed his perspective on this hiring process. It is expected that this process could now extend until around the end of October, or shortly after the World Series.
One potential factor could relate to Pujols’ personal services contract. Pujols and the Angels agreed to a 10-year, $10 million post-retirement contract as part of his 10-year, $240 million deal with the team in 2012. Pujols spent 10 seasons in Anaheim before being released in May 2021.
He is still owed $7 million over the next seven years. The contract does, in theory, give the Angels some leverage over other contenders. While the team cannot prevent Pujols from managing elsewhere, it could liberate the Angels from paying Pujols that money. On the flip side, it’s unclear if the Angels would try to factor in that $7 million as part of any potential managerial contract.
The personal services contract is not a factor in the Angels’ decision to interview more candidates, the team source said.
Pujols has reportedly begun drawing interest from other clubs. The Baltimore Orioles are expected to interview the future Hall of Famer for their opening, according to a report by ESPN.
Pujols managed Leones del Escogido to a title during his first season in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM). He is set to manage the Dominican Republic national team in the World Baseball Classic next spring, though taking a managerial position in MLB would likely impact those plans.