ANAHEIM -- The Angels are narrowing down their search for their next manager. They informed both Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter on Monday that they are no longer in the running for the position, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
The club has not confirmed the news.
Pujols was once considered the front-runner for the position and interviewed with general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis on Oct. 9, but contract talks broke down. Pujols is already on the club’s payroll, earning $1 million a year as part of his 10-year personal services contract that started before the 2023 season. Hunter is also a former Angel and currently a special assistant to Minasian.
Pujols is now considered a candidate for both the Orioles and Padres' managerial vacancies; the three-time MVP indicated during Spring Training that he wanted to become a Major League manager and believed he was ready for the role.
The 45-year-old Pujols has no Major League or Minor League managing or coaching experience, but he did lead Leones del Escogido to the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) championship and the Caribbean Series title last winter. He’s also slated to manage his native Dominican Republic in next year’s World Baseball Classic.
With Pujols now out of the mix, the Angels still have another internal candidate remaining in Kurt Suzuki. He, too, is a former Angel who is currently a special assistant to Minasian.
Hunter and Suzuki also spent time with the club down the stretch as the Angels conducted their organizational exit interviews. Hunter had spent time in the dugout in several series and said in Texas that he’d be interested in managing if the right situation came up.
Suzuki also interviewed for the Giants’ managerial opening. Both players also played for the Twins and could be candidates for that club's vacancy. Hunter has had informal conversations with Minnesota, but no official interview has taken place yet.
Additional candidates who have been linked to the Angels include Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde and ex-Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
Angels first-base coach Bo Porter, who managed the Astros in 2013 and '14, also told The Athletic he has interest in managing again, but it’s unclear if the club views him as a candidate. The Angels told all of their coaches they are free to look elsewhere for jobs because the new manager will select his own staff.