Albert Pujols Set to Interview for Orioles Manager Position: What This Means for the Team

The Orioles are now in the hunt for Albert Pujols as their potential new manager. ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez and Jeff Passan reported that Pujols is set to interview for the opening after the team let go of Brandon Hyde in May. Tony Mansolino has taken the reins as the interim manager and is still being considered for the permanent role.

Just last week, news emerged that the Los Angeles Angels were also eyeing Pujols for their managerial position. He was seen as the frontrunner there at the start of October. However, despite that interest, no official offer has been made yet.

The Orioles’ decision to part ways with Hyde came after a rough start to the season, at 15-28. The team had high hopes after two straight postseason appearances, yet they fell short of expectations. Under Mansolino, the squad managed to improve to 60-59. Hyde had previously turned around the team, leading them from the bottom of the American League to a contender, and earned AL Manager of the Year honors in 2023.

Looking ahead, the Orioles have a bright future. They are filled with young talent like Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman, and Jordan Westburg. Other promising players like Colton Cowser and Samuel Basallo have also shown their skills. While their pitching staff is still a concern, Trevor Rogers has emerged as a strong ace, and Kyle Bradish shows promise when healthy. Interestingly, FanGraphs estimates the Orioles’ payroll for next season to be around $81 million, about half of what they spent in 2025.

One unique connection that might attract Pujols to Baltimore is the relationship between Orioles president Mike Elias and Pujols’ history with the St. Louis Cardinals. Elias was a scout with the team during Pujols’ career there. Additionally, Pujols remains close to Matt Holliday, whose son Jackson is part of the Orioles’ roster.

If Pujols secures a managerial role in MLB, it will be his first in the majors. Last offseason, he managed the Leones del Escogido in the Dominican winter league and was also chosen to lead the Dominican Republic national team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. However, this may change if he takes on a major league position.

As we follow these developments, it’s exciting to think about the potential impact Pujols could have as a manager and how he could shape the future of whichever team he joins.



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