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Angels Have Made Decision on New Manager
Angels owner Arte Moreno is acknowledged by the fans before a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium on March 3, 2023. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Angels are set to name Kurt Suzuki their next manager, according to multiple reports Tuesday.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post was first to report the news on Twitter/X.

Suzuki is a former Angels catcher who was working as a special assistant in the team's front office since his retirement. He had also drawn interest from the San Francisco Giants for their managerial vacancy.

Suzuki, a 16-year major league veteran, moved from the clubhouse to the front office after his final season in 2022 with the Angels.

Suzuki, 42, also played for the Oakland A’s, Minnesota Twins, Washington Nationals, and Atlanta Braves. He won a championship with the Nationals in 2019 and was an All-Star with the Twins in 2014.

A second-round draft pick by the A's in 2004, Suzuki tallied a .255 career average with 295 doubles, 143 home runs and 730 RBI in 1,635 big league games. From his first full season in 2008 until he retired, Suzuki ranked second in MLB in hits (1,314) as a catcher, fourth in runs (544), second in doubles (266), ninth in home runs (131) and third in RBIs (654).

The Angels were one of nine teams in the market for a new manager this offseason, and the first to fill their vacancy. Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter — both former Angels — were also candidates for the job.

Pujols was reportedly the first to interview to replace Ron Washington, whose option for 2026 was declined after two losing seasons.

However, The Athletic reported Monday that Pujols and the Angels could not agree to terms on the money and term of his contract, even though his initial meeting to discuss the job reportedly went well.

Heyman additionally reported that the Angels and Pujols had differing opinions about "coaches and resources."

Bo Porter, the Angels' first- and third-base coach under Washington, also expressed interest in the job via The Athletic. However, according to Brittany Ghiroli, the Angels (either through owner Arte Moreno or GM Perry Minasian) had not reached out to Porter about the job.

Suzuki will have the latitude to choose his own staff. It's unclear how many coaches, if any, will be retained.

Suzuki becomes the Angels' fifth manager in eight seasons since Mike Scioscia managed his final game in 2018. Among his recent predecessors, Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon and Washington all had previous managerial experience. Only Phil Nevin — promoted from bench coach to manager after Maddon was fired in 2022 — did not.

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This article first appeared on Los Angeles Angels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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