Astros insider floats manager candidate that would infuriate the Angels (and we are here for it)

The writing was on the wall for a while, but the Houston Astros did let manager Joe Espada go after the 2026 season. It is hard to blame Espada too much for a flawed, aging roster, but it is equally hard to say that he made things much better. With a new general manager being hired soon, clearing house and letting the new front office hire their own manager was always the most likely outcome. As for the potential candidates to replace Espada, that list is getting more and more interesting.

Given that the Astros are still owned by Jim Crane, you can bet the team will discuss hiring Brad Ausmus and/or Martin Maldonado, if for no other reason than that they always consider them for roles. Recently, Astros insider Brian McTaggart put together a list of Astros managerial candidates, and one of them, Albert Pujols, might cause the Angels and their fans to combust.

Astros hiring Albert Pujols may be the nightmare scenario that just forced the Angels to pivot at manager

While McTaggart didn't report that anything with Pujols was close, it is telling that he was included on the list at all. McTaggart noted that Pujols has long expressed a desire to manage in the big leagues, while also mentioning Pujols has already accumulated some managing experience in the World Baseball Classic as well as in winter ball. Crane was also asked recently about the importance of experience with new hires, and he made it clear that it wasn't a dealbreaker.

Ignoring the question of whether or not Pujols is the best choice if Houston is prioritizing winning for the moment, this is a move that would certainly ruffle some feathers. Not only would Cardinals fans feel some sort of way about a former division rival hiring the future Hall of Famer, but the Angels have coveted a reunion with Pujols under owner Arte Moreno. Even though Moreno has since sold the team, current Angels front office head John Mozeliak is extremely familiar with Pujols from his long tenure as general manager in St. Louis.

In fact, the timing of the Angels' decision to let manager Kurt Suzuki go is a little suspicious. Mozeliak had previously praised Suzuki for his work as manager under very difficult circumstances, only to get kicked to the curb a few weeks later. Something changed, and it is possible that the Astros' interest in Pujols may have changed their plans.

Right now, it appears the Astros already have a frontrunner for their vacant GM position in Matt Kleine, and the team is expected to announce their decision regarding their front office soon. Don't be surprised if Pujols' name comes up not long after that announcement, even if it is just to discombobulate the division rival Angels.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow