Torii Hunter, Suzuki Reportedly to Interview for Angels Manager Job amid Pujols Rumors

Former MLB outfielder Torii Hunter and ex-MLB catcher Kurt Suzuki are expected to interview for the Los Angeles Angels' managerial opening, per Sam Blum of The Athletic.

The Angels have been heavily rumored to target Albert Pujols for their managerial opening, but Blum reported that team owner Arte Moreno is looking to cast a wider net.

"Albert Pujols is no longer the only contender for the Angels' managerial opening. The team plans to interview more candidates for the position, a team source told The Athletic, changing course from their initial line of thinking. Pujols remains the favorite for the job, the source said, though owner Arte Moreno has decided he wants a more thorough process."

In addition, the Angels would like to interview Texas Rangers special assistant Nick Hundley, Chicago Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty and ex-Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. They'd also potentially like to talk to ex-Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

Blum clarified, however, that "it's unclear if any of those conversations have taken place, or if there'd be mutual interest."

The Angels are looking for a new manager after parting ways with Ron Washington after just one season. Last year, L.A. went 72-90, landing the team in last place in the American League West.

The Angels have gone 10 straight seasons without a winning campaign. They've made the playoffs just once in the last 16 seasons and failed to win a postseason game during that lone exception (2014).

Needless to say, the Angels have been one of the least successful teams in baseball for the past decade-and-a-half despite having a generational talent, Mike Trout, on the roster for nearly that entire time period and an all-time superstar, Shohei Ohtani, on the team from 2018-2023.

The problem is the team's hitting, on the whole, did not fare well (4.15 runs per game, which was just 24th in MLB). L.A. also allowed 5.17 runs per game, which was third-most in the majors.

Simply put, the team needs more help in the lineup and on the mound. A manager can certainly help change a team's fortunes, but the Angels need to figure out how to get better throughout the roster.

So the team's new leader has a tall task at hand. A former major league player who has found success at the big league level can certainly help.

Pujols, of course, is one of the game's greatest all-time players. The three-time MVP, 11-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger, who played his first decade-plus with the St. Louis Cardinals, hit 703 home runs over his 22 MLB seasons. He also played from 2012-2021 with the Angels.

Hunter, who is a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian, was an elite defensive outfielder who won nine Gold Gloves over his 19 MLB seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Angels and Detroit Tigers. He also made five All-Star Games and won two Silver Slugger awards, hitting 353 home runs and knocking in 1,391 runners along the way.

Suzuki, who is also a special assistant to Minasian, played in the major leagues from 2007-2022, making the All-Star Game in 2014 with the Twins. Suzuki played an integral part in the 2019 Washington Nationals' run to the World Series title, hitting 17 home runs in just 85 games. He also finished his career with the Angels, suiting up for them in 2021 and 2022.

Regardless, the Angels have a big decision on their hands as they hope to change course and stem their losing ways.