Albert Pujols says he would welcome a chance to manage in Major League Baseball, but he pushed back on the idea that he was specifically lobbying for the New York Mets job.
On Sunday, the future Hall of Fame slugger denied reports that he was saying he wanted the Mets opening “so bad.” The clarification matters because the Mets are still searching for a manager after firing Carlos Mendoza in late June, and Pujols has remained one of the names tied to the vacancy.
Pujols did not close the door on managing. In fact, he said that if the opportunity comes, he would “love to” do it, and that the Mets would be an appealing place to start. He pointed to the history of the franchise, the owner, and the talent on the roster as reasons the job would be attractive. But he also made clear that his comments were being interpreted too aggressively.
“It wasn’t like, ‘Oh man, I want that job.’ … It sounds like I wanted it so bad, that’s not how I look at it,” Pujols said.
He added that he is “hoping to hear about it,” while stressing that he would be open to managing beyond just the Mets. That is an important distinction, especially with a team like New York looking for a new voice after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
Why Pujols remains a name to watch
Pujols has become a candidate for big-league managerial openings after his successful run in the World Baseball Classic tournament. He also interviewed with the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Angels last year, which shows that interest in his transition from player to manager is not new.
At the same time, the Mets’ situation adds urgency. They are still trying to find the right fit after Mendoza’s firing, and the next hire will be judged against both the club’s recent struggles and its expectations moving forward. Pujols, for his part, said the chance to manage the Mets would be “a blessing,” but he stopped short of claiming the job as his own.
There is also another timing wrinkle around the Mets’ leadership picture. Andy Green plans to return to his former front office role after the season is over, which keeps the organizational focus on the search for a manager and the direction the team wants to take.
For now, the key takeaway is simple: Pujols wants a managing opportunity, but he says he was not angling for the Mets position in the way reports suggested. The Mets still need a manager, and his name is still part of that conversation.
