The Angels appear to have their eyes squarely set on Albert Pujols as they search for a new manager.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian met with Pujols in St. Louis on Thursday to discuss the managerial opening created when Ron Washington and the team parted ways after the season, a source told MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. The meeting was first reported by The Athletic. Pujols is said to be owner Arte Moreno's leading choice for the job, per their reporting.
The club has not confirmed the meeting.
The 45-year-old Pujols, three years removed from a 22-year playing career in which he accumulated 703 home runs, 2,218 RBIs and 3,384 hits, managed Leones del Escogido to titles in both the Dominican Professional Baseball League and the Caribbean Series this past winter.
Pujols is currently on the Angels' payroll, having signed a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract (which kicked in after his retirement in 2022) as part of his $240 million deal with the Angels before the 2012 season.
Pujols has not coached or managed in the Major Leagues but could be in line to replace Washington, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery on June 30 and missed about half the season.
The Angels went 36-38 in games Washington managed this year before finishing the season under interim manager Ray Montgomery, who was offered a different role in the organization.