Angels GM Makes Surprising Announcement on Kurt Suzuki Contract

Oct 3, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki (24) signs an autograph before the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels officially introduced Kurt Suzuki as the team's new manager on Wednesday.

In a bit of a surprise, it was revealed that Suzuki is on a one-year contract.

More news: Angels Were One of 2 Teams to Say 'No' To Shohei Ohtani's $700M Deferral Offer

Kurt Suzuki is on a 1-year contract.

That’s pretty surprising. Not typically the terms of any managerial hire.

Keep in mind they couldn’t come to terms on money/years with Pujols.

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 22, 2025

“He’s tied in with me,” said general manager Perry Minasian, who also has one year left on his deal.

Kurt Suzuki gets just one-year contract to become the Angels manager, paling in comparison to Tony Vitello’s historic deal in San Francisco.
Angels GM Perry Minasian’s deal also expires after the 2026 season.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 22, 2025

This comes as a huge surprise as managers typically get multi-year contract, especially on their first deal. However, the Angels have rarely done things traditionally as of late, and this appears to be another instance of that.

The Athletic's Sam Blum laid out two potential reasonings for this decision that were both purely speculation.

"Two things that come to mind," he wrote on X. "(Angels owner Arte Moreno) doesn’t want to be paying a manager during the lockout, if he doesn’t have to. ... Perry (one year left on contract) and Kurt are tied at the hip. If it doesn’t go well this year, we’re probably doing this again next year."

Two things that come to mind:

1. Arte doesn’t want to be paying a manager during the lockout, if he doesn’t have to.

2. Perry (1 year left on contract) and Kurt are tied at the hip. If it doesn’t go well this year, we’re probably doing this again next year. https://t.co/AQqzAIGR7H

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) October 22, 2025

Whatever the case, Suzuki will be entering the 2026 season — his first as a manager at any level — with tons of pressure. If he doesn't perform, it could very well be his only year as the Angels manager, based on his contract.

For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.