The Los Angeles Angels are trending toward hiring a familiar face as their next manager, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.

Per the report, Angels owner Arte Moreno’s leading choice for the role is longtime superstar Albert Pujols, and that the decision itself could very well be in the former slugger’s hands.

Pujols, 45, spent 10 of his 22 seasons in his eventual Hall of Fame career with the Angels. He’s also still tied to the club, as he rejoined the Angels’ organization as a special assistant as part of a 10-year personal services contract.

The three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star concluded his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers and has been managing in the Dominican Winter League since retiring after the 2022 campaign. He is expected to serve as the skipper of the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The Angels announced Tuesday that they had declined the option on former manager Ron Washington’s contract for 2026. They said they will begin the process of hiring a new manager “immediately,” marking the end of Ray Montgomery’s interim stint.

The Angels (72-90) finished last in the American League West for the second straight season, 18 games behind the division champion Seattle Mariners.

General manager Perry Minasian’s status is uncertain after the team missed the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season, per The Athletic. Minasian has been in his current position since 2020.

–Field Level Media