6:22 pm: Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote that the Angels have not yet made a formal offer to Pujols, but he confirmed that interviews are going well.
6:00 pm: The Angels appear to have decided on their next head coach, although he still needs to agree. According to a report by Sam Blum and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the job will be taken by albert pujols As long as he wants. Pujols reportedly met with general manager Perry Minasian last night and the meeting went well. Discussions about a deal are ongoing, but no agreement has been reached.
It was reported a week ago that Pujols would be interviewing for the position and would be the front-runner. Just days ago, reports surfaced that neither Ron Washington nor Ray Montgomery would be returning to work. Washington started the 2025 season as captain, but lost most of the year due to quad bypass surgery, with Montgomery filling in for him on an interim basis. torii hunter There have also been reports that Hunter is a candidate, but today’s reports suggest that Hunter will only be a real consideration if things fall through with Pujols.
According to Bloom and Wu, the Angels hope to make the announcement official before the World Series, although there are still some contract issues that need to be resolved. The report suggests Pujols’ personal services contract could be a factor.
In 2011, he signed a ten-year, $2.4 million contract with the Angels that included a ten-year, $100,000 personal services contract for his retirement as a player. He ended his playing career after the 2022 season. He was cut by the Angels and then spent time with the Dodgers and Cardinals. In February 2023, he rejoined the Angels as a special assistant to fulfill a personal services agreement. Since he’s only signed for three seasons, he still has seven years left. It’s unclear how the existing contract will affect negotiations for his captaincy job.
Pujols has previously expressed interest in becoming a head coach, but has no experience in affiliate ball, either as a head coach or as a coach. Last offseason, he coached the Dominican winter team Leones del Escogido. The Lions defeated Tigres del Lisi in seven games in the Serie A final. Pujols is expected to coach the Dominican Republic national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he may have to step back from that position if he signs with the Angels.
Assuming both sides can get past the T and hit the I, Pujols will be in the Angels’ dugout again. Bloom and Wu reported that coaching staff talks are already underway as well, and it feels like a fait accompli. Reports indicate that former major league players Ramon Martinez,brother Pedro Martinezis Pujols’ preferred pitching coach. Barry Enright Having been the Halos’ pitching coach for the past two years, it’s fairly common for a new coach to make some coaching changes.
The Halos haven’t won since 2015. Mike Scioscia was the long-time club captain from 2000 to 2018. Since then, turnover has increased significantly as the club has struggled. Brad AusmusJoe Maddon, Phil Nevin, Washington and Montgomery have been at the helm in recent years. It seems likely that Pujols will be the next one to have a chance to turn things around.
Photos courtesy of Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images
