"Future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols met with Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian about the team's managerial vacancy in St. Louis on Thursday night, a source familiar with the process told ESPN on Friday, confirming an initial report by The Athletic. A formal offer has not been made, sources cautioned, though Pujols has been considered a prime candidate ever since the Angels declined the 2026 option on manager Ron Washington's contract last week."
"Pujols, 45, has expressed strong interest in managing at the big league level for years and led a Dominican winter ball team, the Leones del Escogido, to a championship in January. Pujols was previously named manager for his native Dominican Republic in next year's World Baseball Classic, though he would likely rescind that role if he lands a big league job this offseason. The Angels are one of six teams looking for new managers at the moment. Other clubs have inquired on Pujols, though the Angels are the only team he has formally met about managing thus far."
"Pujols signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels in December of 2011 that included a 10-year, $10 million personal-services contract that kicked in after he retired. What becomes of that deal would likely be part of any financial negotiations that would inevitably take place with the Angels. Pujols has been a special guest instructor at Angels spring training each of the last three years and is considered a prime candidate by both Minasian, who held him in high regard even after releasing him in May of 2021, and Angels owner Arte Moreno."
Albert Pujols met with Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis to discuss the team's managerial vacancy. A formal offer has not been made. Pujols has been regarded as a prime candidate since the Angels declined the 2026 option on manager Ron Washington's contract. Pujols led the Leones del Escogido to a Dominican winter ball championship and was named manager for the Dominican Republic in the next World Baseball Classic, a role he would likely rescind if hired. Pujols' 2011 Angels contract included a 10-year, $10 million personal-services agreement that could factor into negotiations. He has served as a special guest instructor at Angels spring training for the past three years.
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