A pair of former Angels’ stars looked like the frontrunners to be the club’s next manager. Now, both are out of the race. Torii Hunter is no longer a candidate in the Angels’ managerial search, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Hunter news comes after Albert Pujols’ candidacy met the same fate this morning. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports Hunter could still be a candidate for Minnesota’s managerial vacancy.
It’s the latest chapter in an ongoing saga to replace Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery, neither of whom was retained by the team. Hunter was mentioned as an option to fill the role, though only if the Pujols plan fell through. Pujols was described as the “leading choice” for the job and it appeared to be his if he wanted it. Contract negotiations ultimately broke down between Pujols and the team, leading to the Hall of Famer being removed from the search.
Hunter spent five seasons of his 19-year MLB career with the Angels. He performed well on both sides of the ball with the club, earning a pair of All-Star selections and two Gold Glove awards. Hunter didn’t reach the fringe MVP-level production he showed in his Minnesota days, but he was an above average hitter in each season with the Halos. As a 36-year-old in his final campaign with the team, Hunter hit a career-best .313 while posting a 131 wRC+.
Hunter has no prior coaching or managerial experience at the big-league level. He’s held special assistant roles for several years, including in the Los Angeles organization. Hunter was hired as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian in 2024.
The Angels are were planning to interview another former player, Kurt Suzuki, for the managerial position. Suzuki also happens to be a special assistant to Minasian. Sam Blum of The Athletic reported the team is also interested in speaking to Rocco Baldelli and Brandon Hyde about the vacancy. Former Astros manager Bo Porter wants a chance at the job as well. Porter was the Angels’ third base coach this past season.
Gee—maybe I could interview for the job since everyone is getting turned down.
Your screen name effectively answers your question………….
Jeff—That was great! Well played, sir!
In high school, as a joke, I sent in my resume for an open Marlins manager position. Mentioned winning my fantasy leagues and gave my Little League coach as a reference. To my shock they actually sent me a form letter saying they appreciated my interest but my qualifications did not meet what they were looking for!
You probably hurt your chances by using the word “winning” on your resume. Instantly, they likely assumed they couldn’t afford you. Lol
But seriously, that’s awesome and funny all at once. Lol
They were courteous and professional enough to give you a reply. Most major corporations solicit applications then ghost you…
You made national news. I remember hearing about it. Was that you.
Just another corporation putting up ghost jobs
If the Angels wanted Porter they had the entire time Washington was out last season to give him a chance. I could see Hyde taking the job
Hyde makes sense
Hyde would be good but why would any serious candidate go there? What they’ve done to the last few managers is predictive of the future.
There is real steam to the rumor that after the trial, there may be some things happening.
Still only 30 jobs. Because of that taking a lesser of the 30 is a means to getting your name out there for the others.
Nobody wants that job. Horrible roster, no farm, yes man as a GM and a clueless dweeb as an owner.
Arte is the one looking at candidates so if he doesn’t like one, even if Perry has a preference, it’s going to be whoever Arte likes.
porter wants the job.
Only the Angels could publicize turning down franchise All Stars and making it awkward. None of this should be public; especially the “rejections”. Nobody in that front office nor owners suite has any idea how to run a professional franchise.
Albert wanted his old pay level. The Angels wasted to recoup their losses from having him with his years of replacement level play
I wonder if Torii’s last name is enough to get him into the Busch party and eligible for the free year of beer…
Don Zimmerman is interested in making a comeback!
Think you mean don Zimmer. That would be a great accomplishment for him to come back. Or maybe you mean robert Zimmerman. Think he’s something like 85.
Don Zimmer passed away in 2014
So he could manage from the grave. Spooky.
No, they added a “man” to the end of AI Don Zimmer’s name to make it seem more human. It is a Labubu sized Zimbear.
Too bad that blackpink paid the Trade Rumor fee when he changed his screen name to Never Remember. He must have figured that he’d be safe from being banned no matter what he posts after doing so. Hope he’s wrong, but so far it’s working for him.
No idea how he’s be as a manager but Torii is one of my all time favorites. Loved watching him with the Twins and he’s my favorite Angels free agent signing.
I’d love to see him manage in the minors for a couple years to learn the ropes. But hes a family guy with a big bank account who already missed a lot of moments when he was a player.
fantastic player. he had quite a career.
Stop the rejection and sell the team, Arturo!
lmao. Never change, Arte.
What an ugly process – assuming they actually used the term “removed” from the search- and not clunky analysis. How bout more positive language like “we’ve settled on finalists, or have “narrowed” the pool. Ugly all around
The reporting here is based on tweets, and if you read those, you’ll see the wording choice belongs entirely to MLBTR. Why any team would leak their internal deliberations is beyond me.
Thanks for clarifying, that makes sense . The MLBTR headline makes it seem like Torii was escorted out of his job interview by masked security agents kicking and screamin
Yep. You should always write as if your words matter.
Yes! As the assistant manager of a beer league softball team my dream is still alive of being a MLB manager!
“Contract negotiations ultimately broke down between Pujols and the team, leading to the Hall of Famer being removed from the search”.
Ah, Pujols isn’t a hall of famer just yet.
I have to say that I am relieved that Pujols and Hunter are no longer in consideration. Was really hoping for Hundley, but family comes first.
Beyond him, I would like to see either Servais, Hyde, or Flaherty in that order.
I think Torii would have been the best choice for manager in 2026. But for his sake, I’m glad it isn’t going to happen. I hope he keeps developing and maybe someday he could be our manager under better ownership.
Best choice based on what? You enjoyed the way he ran around in the outfield?
Yep. Just that. He ran good.
Well, he also did show genuine leadership. And he took the initiative in helping younger teammates because he “got it” that it was a team effort. And his lack of selfishness when, as a nine time gold glover, he not only agreed to move to right field….he mentored a young Mr. Trout who took over his position. And his positive energy towards everyone. Those are the qualities that a young team like the Angels need IMHO. But, you got me, it is most of all because I enjoyed the way he ran around the outfield.
Positive energy toward everyone??!? Like when he said he didn’t want to play with gay people, said white people shouldn’t honor Jackie Robinson, said black Hispanics were impostors? Genuine leadership? He had a quote early in his life that he plays baseball because it can make him famous. And he can claim what he wants about trout, I’m
Sure he’d love to take credit. He also claimed to share the outfield with Kirby Puckett and learned from him
As an Angels player, he always seemed like a high energy positive guy to me…towards everyone. Honestly, I wasn’t aware of comments you are referring to (not saying your wrong…..just that I wasn’t aware of them). If true, then obviously that could get in the way of him managing a whole team. I’d be curious to see if his stances have changed over the years and what he would say about them now.
I’ll stand by my take that he’s a natural. leader…he sure seemed to have a love of the game during his time in Anaheim and it was infectious. Trout himself gave Torii a ton of credit for helping him early on….after Torii moved over to RF willingly to make for him. As I said earlier, I think he “got it” that it’s a team sport and he just wanted to help out any teammate he could. He was a nine time gold glove CF….contrast his approach to AP’s.
Perry Minasian might hold the GM title, but Arte Moreno’s fingerprints are all over every major decision. From managerial hires to free agent freezes, it’s Moreno’s playbook, and Perry’s just flipping the pages.
My choice would be Darren Erstad? That’s a refreshing pick. Grit, leadership, and actual coaching chops from his time at Nebraska. He’s not just a nostalgia hire he’s got the fire If the Angels ever decided to prioritize baseball IQ over clubhouse familiarity, Erstad should be a serious contender in my opinion
Arte Moreno pulled the Angels off the market in 2023. Why? Nobody knows. The team’s worth over $2 billion, and the fanbase is begging for change. But Moreno’s still here calling the shots, dodging accountability, the Angels franchise no longer competitive no longer respected.
Moreno let Shohei Ohtani walk in free agency Angels could’ve reloaded their farm system. In Just 22 months after signing Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract in free agency, the Dodgers made back the entirety of that investment during Ohtani’s first season—through ticket sales, merchandise, and global marketing deals, per MLB insider Joon Lee. The Dodgers recuperated all of Ohtani’s salary. Arte what were you thinking?
This isn’t about baseball anymore. It’s about ego. Arte’s legacy is being written in missed opportunities, bad contracts, and empty seats. He’ll be remembered not for building a contender but for letting greatness walk out the door while clinging to a team he no longer knows how to run.
He never knew how to run it in the first place.
Trout is like LeBron’s first run in Cleveland, superstar without help and the second they choose someone to help, they blow and signing is a huge albatross. So inept
But the team didn’t win when they had Ohtani and Mike Trout. Never signed the right players or the good ones they signed seemed to fall off a cliff when playing for the Angels. I hate that Ohtani is with the Dodgers but it makes a lot of sense why he wanted to sign there. Arte probably could’ve offered 800 million and instead of signing Ohtani would just ask the Dodgers to up their offer. It seemed he really only wanted to sign there anyway.
unfortunately as we all know, not a two person or even like 5 person sport.
Artie pulled the team off the market because potential buyers laughed at the asking price. Limited television contract and a poor minor league system sure didn’t help either. Their hasn’t been a owner this cheap and stupid since Charlie Finley.
It should be Hyde. He’s the best candidate left. But the most angels move would be giving porter another chance
As a Braves fan I liked that they gave Ron Washington another chance at managing. Unfortunately it didn’t work out so well for him. He was a great third base coach for the Braves.
honestly he’s one of the best coaches ever, love the way he was depicted in moneyball
Joe McEwing
Really surprised that Mike Redmond isn’t getting a call. He did a great job in Miami
Darin Erstad, come on down. You’re the next contestant on the Price is Wrong.
Arte Moreno does sound like a host of a bad game show.
Imagine being turned down the the angels job. 😬 We expect mediocrity and poor coaching around here. You just aren’t good enough.
There is one man already in the Angels organization who they can hire and check off several boxes at the same time. They should introduce Anthony Rendon, player-manager. Get some use out of the guy, and the results would be the same.
So hire Rendon? The guy famously said that he didn’t “really like baseball” the year before his free agency w/the Nats. Hate it for Angels fans, but they should have listened to what he was telling them before they wasted all that money on him. Moreno might deserve to be ripped off, but Angels fans and the members of the organization don’t.
The lead parking lot attendant from the Big A is scheduled to interview on Thursday morning, followed by the hit dog vendor that works the field level behind 3rd base.
I truly feel bad for Anaheim fans. Arte has striped any legitimacy from this team and does not seem interested in earning even a shred of it back. I am just completely confused on the direction LAA is headed.