Albert Pujols. Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

What hiring Albert Pujols to manage would mean for Orioles

By Curt Bishop | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 5:19 PM ET

Albert Pujols is currently the leading candidate to take the managerial opening for the Los Angeles Angels after they parted ways with Ron Washington.

Pujols has been working for the Angels since his retirement after spending 10 seasons of his career with them, but the Angels are not the only team that wants to interview him for the role.

According to Jeff Passan and Alden Gonzalez of ESPN , another team is in the mix: the Baltimore Orioles.

"The Orioles have yet to formally interview Pujols but are expected to as they seek a replacement for Brandon Hyde, who was fired in the early portion of what became a disappointing 87-loss season in 2025. Tony Mansolino, who took over as interim manager after Hyde was let go in May, is among the candidates for the full-time position, but the Orioles are also conducting an external search."

What hiring Albert Pujols would mean for the Orioles

Obviously, Pujols has more connections with the Angels, given his personal services deal and time spent playing for them, so that seems like the more plausible outcome. But the Orioles are an interesting potential fit for the future Hall of Famer.

Almost instantly, he would have the respect of the clubhouse due to his pedigree as a player. He was a three-time National League MVP, 11-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion.

Late in his career as a player, he was considered a strong veteran voice in the clubhouse and a mentor for younger players. As a manager, that likely won't change. His knowledge of the game would serve him and the Orioles well as they try to bounce back from a last-place finish in 2025.

Having been a player, Pujols would be able to relate to younger players and guide them to be better in the future. He would command a strong presence and would be able to find ways to get the absolute best out of the players on the Orioles roster, while also understanding the nuances of players and being able to connect with them.

The 45-year-old also isn't without connections in Baltimore. He was teammates with Matt Holliday with the St. Louis Cardinals for three years, and Holliday's son, Jackson Holliday, is one of Baltimore's top young players, so there would at least be some familiarity there. He was even teammates with outfielder Tyler O'Neill in St. Louis in 2022, his final season as a player.

Pujols has no Major League managerial experience, though he managed the Leones del Escogido to a championship in the Dominican winter league last year and is currently set to manage the Dominican national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

While the Orioles need somebody who is well-established, Pujols' baseball knowledge makes him a good potential candidate.

Curt Bishop

Curt Bishop is a freelance sportswriter who graduated from Maryville University of St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of communication. Curt primarily covers Major League Baseball. Curt’s work includes covering trade and free agency predictions, as well as rumors and news.

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