The Los Angeles Angels are searching for their next manager after making the decision to fire Ron Washington. Washington is a well-liked and respected figure throughout MLB, but concerns about his health have become a major issue. Letting him go was anything but easy for the Angels.
“It was obviously a really tough decision,” GM Perry Minasian said. “I love Ron Washington. I’ve been with him in three different places. I think he’s a heck of a baseball man. At the end of the day in this job, you have to make tough decisions, and we had discussions all day Monday with ownership, just talking through the season. And we felt like there needed to be a different voice.”
From the start, the Angels have had a clear candidate in mind: Albert Pujols. A week ago, it was reported that their meeting went well and that the two sides were working on a potential deal.
“The meeting with the three-time MVP is believed to have gone very well, and the two sides are having preliminary discussions on a deal, though there is no agreement yet, according to a league source,” The Athletic’s Sam Blum and Katie Woo reported.
However, it’s now been revealed that money has become the sticking point, with the Angels unwilling to increase their offer.
“Britt Ghiroli on Albert Pujols/the Angels: ‘That’s part of what the holdup is, over money. Because Arte’s like, I’m already paying you $1M. And [if you’re Albert] you’re getting $1M to do nothing. I’m not gonna manage on top of that. So that’s part of the holdup, I’ve heard.’” Beyond The Halo posted.
If the Angels don’t finalize a deal with Pujols soon, the Baltimore Orioles could swoop in and get him. Unlike the Angels, the Orioles aren’t expected to drag their feet.
The Angels have a strong candidate right in front of them but don’t seem eager to seize the opportunity. If they let Pujols slip away, things could get very interesting.
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