Story by
Albert Pujols Interviews To Be Manager Of Angels Division Rival
- Story by
- Albert Pujols Interviews To Be Manager Of Angels Division Rival
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Former Los Angeles Angels star Albert Pujols is back in the managerial interviewing cycle again, with the latest update from Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reporting that Pujols has interviewed for the Houston Astros' open job.
Pujols was a part of this circuit last offseason, as he reportedly interviewed for a number of openings, including the Angels, San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles. Pujols wasn't hired, but he once again had a successful run as a manager in the WBC earlier this year, leading the Dominican Republic team to a bronze medal after losing to Team USA in a game many feel was more about an atrocious final strike call than anything revelatory Pujols did as a manager.
Advertisement
Pujols also has a big personality, which may have been part of why he wasn't hired during the last cyle. The former Angels star reportedly had a personal services contract with soon-to-be former Halos owner Arte Moreno, and now he's taking a run at the Houston job.
The latest on the personal services contract came from Gonzalez in his piece. It's a ten-year deal for $10 million that will be entering year five, but a buyout can be negotiated if the Astros like Pujols enough to hire him, per Gonzalez
The connections that could help lead to Pujols getting the Houston job make sense in terms of what the Astros have done recently, and his interview is scheduled for Thursday Former New York Yankees bench coach and Astros catcher Brad Ausmus is also in the interview mix, so his ties may be stronger.
But the Astros just named former St. Louis Cardinals executive Randy Flores as their new GM, and Flores was a teammate of Pujols for five of the eight seasons Flores spent pitching in St. Lous.
Advertisement
There are fewer managerial openings this year, and the Angels opening will be the last one standing if Houston fills theirs with someone else. The Angels have a new owner coming in, though, and there's almost zero chance that Stan Kroenke and his KSE sports group would want to hire someone like Pujols given that Kroenke will want to cut any recent ties to the team's past.
The 46-year old Pujols will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, and he's widely expected to be a first ballot selection. Houston is his last chance to land a spot as a manager until after the lockout, which is currently expected to last into the spring of next year.
