Kurt Suzuki will remain in the Angels organization as a special assistant despite not having his option picked up to return as manager in 2027, interim general manager John Mozeliak said at the annual GM Meetings in Las Vegas.
Additionally, pitching coaches Tim Leveque and Michael Wuertz will be retained by the organization but are currently assigned to Minor League roles. It’ll be up to the new GM and manager to determine whether they will be on the Major League staff.
“I'm actually shocked more people haven't come after them for big league jobs,” Mozeliak said of Leveque and Wuertz. “It was quite striking what they were able to accomplish in such a short time. You have to admire that.”
Suzuki returns to a familiar role, as he was previously a special assistant with the organization from 2023-25 before being hired as skipper prior to the ’26 season. But it ended with the franchise’s 11th consecutive losing season and the first 100-loss campaign in its history.
Though Suzuki was well-liked for his work in 2026, this offseason has been one marked by transition and uncertainty for the Angels. The club is still awaiting the finalization of a sale to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which has yet to be voted on by fellow owners and was initially announced as expected to become official in early 2027.
Mozeliak wanted Suzuki to return as manager when he first spoke to the media the day after the season on Sept. 28 but indicated it would ultimately be up the new ownership. Three weeks later, it was announced that Suzuki would not be back as manager and Mozeliak also said he would step away from his role in December once his contract is up.
Suzuki, who enjoyed a 16-year playing career that featured stints with the Athletics, Nationals, Braves, Twins and Angels, had discussions with other organizations but decided to remain with the club.
Suzuki also played a large role in the decision to dismiss pitching coaches Mike Maddux and Dom Chiti in August and replace them with Leveque and Wuertz. The pitching was much better down the stretch, as several Angels starters such as Reid Detmers, Ryan Johnson, Grayson Rodriguez and Walbert Ureña flourished under their tutelage and willingness to embrace data.
Angels pitchers had a 4.51 ERA on the day they made the coaching changes and a 3.69 ERA the rest of the way. Leveque and Wuertz were previously with Double-A Rocket City but Leveque accepted a position as Minor League pitching coordinator and Wuertz signed on to be Triple-A Salt Lake’s pitching coach.
Third base coach Keith Johnson will also stay with the organization as a Minor League baserunning and outfield coordinator, while hitting coach Jobel Jiménez will join Single-A Rancho Cucamonga’s staff. Like Leveque and Wuertz, they can be added to the Major League staff if that’s what the new regime wants.
The Angels’ eyes will now turn toward the ongoing GM search, which has started to begin in earnest with KSE reaching out and meeting with candidates. Once they hire the new GM or president of baseball operations, they’ll also have to hire a manager and replace the entire coaching staff. Only bullpen catcher Jason Brown and batting practice pitcher Mike Ashman remain listed on the club’s official coaching staff.
The next manager will be the Angels’ sixth full-time skipper since 2019.