Sources: Orioles expected to interview Albert Pujols for manager

baltimore oriolesThey are looking for a new manager to guide their young, emerging core, with sources telling ESPN that they have expressed interest in future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols.

The Orioles have not yet formally interviewed Pujols, but are expected to be looking for a replacement for Brandon Hyde, who was fired in 2025 in the early part of a disappointing 87-loss season. Tony Mansolino, who took over as interim manager after Hyde’s departure in May, is among the candidates for the full-time position, but the Orioles are also conducting an outside search.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias was a scout St. Louis Cardinals While Pujols starred for the organization in the late 2000s. Pujols, 45, still shares a close relationship with the father of his former teammate Matt Holliday jackson holiday21-year-old infielder who is now one of the founding players of the Orioles.

Los Angeles Angels Industry sources said it still appears to be the most likely destination for Pujols and it is the only team he has formally interviewed with. Pujols meets with Angels general manager Perry Minasian is still considered highly qualified for the position last Thursday in St. Louis, although former All-Star outfielder Torii Hunter is also a serious candidate. However, the Angels’ recruiting process may have been slow due to the involvement of owner Arte Moreno and president John Carpino. Civil trial over death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs,

Just a few years ago the Orioles were looking like a team on the rise, emerging from an aggressive rebuild to win 101 games and capture the American League East title in 2023. They returned to the playoffs in 2024 with a 91-win season but missed the wild-card round and were not aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching during the upcoming offseason. The introduction of 15-28 led to Hyde’s firing on May 17.

The next four and a half months were not much better, but the Orioles were still an attractive destination due to a young, promising position-player core featuring Holiday, Gunnar Henderson, Adley Ratshman, Kobe Mayo And Samuel BasalCurrently, they are among eight teams with a manager opening, along with the Angels. atlanta braves, san francisco giants, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, colorado rockies And minnesota twins,

Pujols has expressed a keen interest in managing at the big league level over the years and led the Dominican winter ball team, Leones del Escogido, to a championship in January. Pujols previously was named the manager for his native Dominican Republic in next year’s World Baseball Classic, though he would likely relinquish that role if he gets a big league job this offseason.