Angels would take big risk by hiring Albert Pujols as manager 

Is this another misstep by Angels owner Arte Moreno?

It’s a fair question. Arte Moreno’s track record is checkered, at best. From misfiring on long-term contracts to consistently underinvesting in player development, his decisions have led to one of the longest postseason droughts in MLB history. Not since Mike Scioscia left the dugout have the Angels had a manager capable of delivering a winning season.

And yet, for once, there’s a sense — however faint — that Moreno is actually trying. Whether or not he’s choosing the right guy is up for debate, but effort hasn’t always been a guarantee in Anaheim.

Why would the Angels hire Albert Pujols?

Pujols is a winner. That’s not opinion — it’s fact. He was the face of a Cardinals dynasty, kept the Angels relevant during the early years of his massive contract, and provided veteran leadership during his brief but energizing stint with the Dodgers.

He commands respect. He’s a bridge between eras — a guy who’s played alongside Trout, and one who’s earned the admiration of today’s younger stars. In a division that includes a young and dangerous Seattle Mariners team and the ever-powerful Astros, the Angels need more than a tactical manager. They need a cultural overhaul. They need a figurehead. They need someone who can draw stars back to Anaheim.

Pujols might be that guy.

The real issue if Albert Pujols becomes the Angels' manager

Still, even a manager with Pujols’ pedigree won’t fix the biggest problem in Anaheim: the farm system. The Angels are ranked dead last in minor league development. The organization has failed to build sustainable talent pipelines, squandering not only years of draft picks, but the prime of one of the greatest players of this generation — Mike Trout.

Until that changes, until resources are fully committed to building from the ground up, no manager — not even one with a first-ballot Hall of Fame resume — can change the trajectory.

Is Arte Moreno making another mistake? That depends.

Hiring Pujols is a risk, but it might be the kind of risk this stagnant franchise needs. It won’t be the fix-all, but it could be the first step in changing the culture of complacency that’s defined the Angels for over a decade.

And if nothing else, it’s a sign that someone in the Angels' front office still remembers what winning looks like.