Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Legend Albert Pujols Emerging For Open Manager Job

The St. Louis Cardinals is looking for a new gig...
Patrick McAvoy|
Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the Los Angeles Angels logo on a hat in the dugout during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the Los Angeles Angels logo on a hat in the dugout during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

It sounds like a St. Louis Cardinals legend is at least going to have a chance at a new role in Major League Baseball.

Former Cardinals superstar Albert Pujols has made it known that he wants to be a manager in the big leagues one day. It sounds like there’s a chance that could happen this offseason. The Los Angeles Angels cut ties with former manager Ron Washington already this offseason and The Athletic's Sam Blum, Katie Woo, and Ken Rosenthal quickly reported that Pujols is considered to be the "leading choice" for the job.

Will the St. Louis Cardinals legend land the job?

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto hands a commemorative bat to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols (5) before the MLB game between between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

"The Angels may look to a very familiar face for their next managerial hire," Blum, Woo, and Rosenthal said. "Longtime MLB superstar Albert Pujols is believed to be the leading choice for the job for Angels owner Arte Moreno, league sources told The Athletic. Moreno, the ultimate decision maker for the Angels’ next managerial hire, holds Pujols in high regard. One source close to the former slugger suggested the decision may be Pujols’ to make.

"The status of GM Perry Minasian remains unclear. While Minasian still has one year remaining on his contract, he is not expected to be the lead decision-maker in the hiring of the next manager. Pujols, 45, spent a decade of his legendary 22-year career with the Angels, and is currently on their payroll. The slugger inked a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract as part of his $240-million deal in Anaheim before the 2012 season."

There has been a lot of speculation out there over the last year about Pujols and the Cardinals, but St. Louis isn't moving on from Oliver Marmol ahead of the 2026 season. Pujols hasn't managed in the big leagues yet, but he managed Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Republic and was named as the manager for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic as well. Now, keep an eye on him and the Angels over the next few weeks as manager positions start to fill up.

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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