Former slugger Albert Pujols reportedly top candidate to be new Angels manager
The Los Angeles Angels are thinking about promoting a familiar face to run the show in Anaheim, according to The Athletic. Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is said to be the top choice of Angels team owner Arte Moreno and will interview for the job.
Pujols spent 10 of his 22 major league seasons with the Angels and is currently with the team in an advisory role. He retired in 2022 and ranks fourth all-time with 703 career home runs. When asked by reporters during spring training if he’d like to be a manager, Pujols said, “I think if the opportunity is right one day, I think I’ll be ready for that.”
The Angels dismissed Ron Washington, who missed most of the season after heart surgery, and they did not retain interim manager Ray Montgomery after a 72-90 season. There are five managerial openings in MLB at the moment.
Who else is looking for a new manager?
The Atlanta Braves announced Wednesday that long-time manager Brian Snitker will leave the dugout and move into the front office as an advisor. Snitker guided the Braves to 911 wins, six NL East division titles, and seven postseason appearances over the last 10 seasons, including a World Series win in 2021.
“I’m excited for this new chapter in my life because I think at some point in time, everybody has to have that,” Snitker said. “So, I’m blessed that I can do it here in a place where I was born and raised.”
The 69-year-old Snitker has been with the Braves in some capacity, as a player, coach or manager, since 1977. However, the team started slowly in 2025 and finished with just 76 wins.
Why did the Rangers part ways with Bruce Bochy?
Bruce Bochy helped the Texas Rangers end one of the longest World Series droughts in Major League history in 2023 when the team won its first championship. The Rangers and Bochy, however, mutually agreed to part ways on Monday. Rangers General Manager Chris Young described the conversation with his manager as they looked to the future.
“Without having perfect vision and clarity, it’s hard to spell out all the details,” Young said. “There’s such mutual respect for one another. We felt like this was the proper way to go and proceed, given that there’s probably going to be some changes necessary in 2026, and different points in the dugout will help advance us forward. This was a mutual conversation, and in the end, we agreed that this is what’s best.”
What are the Giants and Twins doing?
The 70-year-old Bochy is sixth all-time on MLB’s wins list with 2,252 and has four championships to take to the Hall of Fame. Three of those came with the San Francisco Giants.
Speaking of the Giants, President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey said Wednesday that Bochy is not a candidate to replace Bob Melvin, who was fired after two seasons in charge. San Francisco started hot but faded down the stretch and missed the playoffs with an 81-81 record. Posey said on Wednesday he wants someone who can provide stability for years to come.
The Minnesota Twins are also looking for a manager after firing Rocco Baldelli on Monday. The Twins won the AL Central three times during his seven seasons in charge, but went just 70-92 this season. The Twins front office traded 10 players off the big-league roster at the MLB trade deadline, including stars Carlos Correa and Jhoan Duran.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
