Kurt Suzuki Remaining With Angels As Special Assistant

Kurt Suzuki will remain in the Angels organization as a special assistant in the front office, interim general manager John Mozeliak told reporters at the GM Meetings earlier this week (link via Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register). The Halos declined their option on Suzuki after one season in the managerial role.

The former All-Star catcher had a difficult assignment in his lone managerial season. He signed a one-year contract, an atypically short commitment for any manager. Suzuki took over one of the worst rosters in MLB coming off a 72-90 season. They lost 100 games for the first time in club history this year. The Angels fired GM Perry Minasian in June and are in the middle of a sale process at the ownership level.

It clearly wasn’t an ideal situation for a first-time skipper. The Angels unsurprisingly went in a different direction. Stan Kroenke’s group is still awaiting official approval on the ownership transfer. They’ll hire a permanent GM at that point, as Mozeliak is expected to step aside when his contract expires next month. The new front office can then make a managerial hire, which might not happen until midway through the lockout.

Suzuki spent the 2023-25 seasons in the same special assistant role to which he now returns. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he pursues coaching or managerial opportunities in future years. Suzuki is highly respected around the league and interviewed for the Giants’ managerial vacancy last fall.