It was announced recently that the Los Angeles Angels would not bring back former MLB catcher Kurt Suzuki as manager after he led the Angels to a franchise-worst 62-100 record in 2026.

“Definitely wasn’t surprising,” Suzuki said of the news that he would not return. “Obviously with new ownership coming in, they’re going to have their touches on things and obviously the manager is a big position. I’ve been in this game a long time. I haven’t been through an ownership change, but I know when leadership changes, they bring in their people that they want. I know it’s part of the gig. It is what it is.”

The man who figures to conduct the hiring process this time around, interim GM John Mozeliak, is arguably the most accomplished person to sit in the Angels GM chair in franchise history.

Mozeliak also said he will attend the GM Meetings (Nov. 9-11) on behalf of the organization.

Love him or hate him, he does have plenty of qualities one looks for in a GM.

Now it’s worth noting that Mozeliak announced  that he will step aside once the new ownership group takes over in 2027 but that he will remain to help pick the next GM.

And of course, the next manager.

“After being here and experiencing what I’ve experienced, I think it’s been fun, but I know I’m not a long-term solution, nor was I looking to be a part of a long-term solution,” he said on Wednesday. “I think it’s best that I just honor the role I signed up for and then ultimately turn that over to people that are going to be committed to this for the long term.”

Which brings up the name Albert Pujols.

The future Hall of Famer interviewed for the Angels’ manager job a year ago but was unwilling to accept a one-year contract from then-GM Perry Minasian. Later on, he also interviewed for the Padres’ manager job, but it ultimately went to Craig Stammen.

One of the best hitters of all-time, Pujols spent 22 years in MLB with the Cardinals, Angels and surefire Hall of Famer when he’s first eligible, Pujols hit .296 lifetime with 703 home runs and 2,218 RBIs. A three-time MVP, he was also an 11-time All-Star, a six-time Silver Slugger, a two-time Gold Glover, a batting champion and a Clemente Award winner.

If Pujols were to become the new manager, he would hope to bring consistency to an organization that desperately needs it: the Angels are searching for their 8th manager in 9 years.

The team hasn’t been to the postseason since 2014 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2009, when the Angels last won the American League West title.