The Orioles are interested in a big name for their managerial opening.
Baltimore has expressed interest in likely future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols to become their next manager, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Wednesday night. The two sides have not yet spoken, though, and no meeting or interview has been set up yet. The team has not confirmed the report.
This comes after a disappointing 87-loss season for the Orioles, who fired longtime manager Brandon Hyde in May. Replacing Hyde as interim manager was Tony Mansolino, who is reportedly one of the candidates to take over full-time as the O's manager.
Pujols, who retired after the 2022 season, put together one of the best careers by any hitter in MLB history. Across 22 seasons, Pujols slugged 703 home runs and recorded 3,384 hits, while winning three NL MVPs with the Cardinals and a pair of World Series titles in 2006 and ‘11 with St. Louis.
While he has yet to manage in the big leagues, Pujols managed Leones del Escogido to titles in both the Dominican Professional Baseball League and the Caribbean Series last winter. Pujols is also set to manage the Dominican Republic at next year’s World Baseball Classic.
The Orioles also aren’t the only team reportedly interested in hiring Pujols as manager. The Angels -- who currently employ Pujols on a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract as part of his $240 million deal with them before the 2012 season -- met with Pujols last week to discuss their managerial opening.