The Astros will interview MLB legend Albert Pujols for their managerial opening on Thursday, sources told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart and Mark Feinsand on Wednesday. The club has not confirmed the news.
Pujols is currently under contract with the Angels, 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.
The 46-year-old slugger interviewed with the Angels and Padres last offseason before they filled their managerial vacancies for the 2026 season with Kurt Suzuki and Craig Stammen, respectively.
Although he doesn’t have any experience as an MLB manager yet, Pujols did manage Leones del Escogido to the Dominican Winter League title in 2024-25. He also helmed Team Dominican Republic during this year’s World Baseball Classic. Pujols’ star-studded WBC club finished in third place.
The Astros are seeking a new manager after parting ways with Joe Espada, who was in that role for three seasons. If Pujols gets the job, he would work under Houston’s newly hired general manager Randy Flores, who was Pujols’ teammate with the Cardinals from 2004-08.
One of only two players in Major League history with at least 3,000 hits and 700 home runs, Pujols played more games (300) and hit more home runs (62) against the Astros than any other team during his career.
One of his most famous home runs occurred in Houston: A go-ahead three-run homer off closer Brad Lidge in the ninth inning of NLCS Game 5 in 2005 when the Astros were just one out away from winning the pennant. They would ultimately reign as NL champions with a Game 6 victory over the Cardinals two days later.
The Astros are also expected to interview former Astros infielder Morgan Ensberg later this week, per a source. He is a former college teammate of Flores and has spent the last three seasons managing the Durham Bulls, the Triple-A affiliate of the Rays.