The Los Angeles Angels entered the 2025 season with cautious optimism, believing Ron Washington could help end the team’s decade-long postseason drought. However, instead of progress, the franchise has endured another disappointing campaign. With a 69-77 record, the Angels sit buried in the AL West behind the Mariners, Astros, and Rangers, marking the tenth consecutive losing season in Anaheim. Now, the conversation has shifted from what went wrong on the field to who will lead the team moving forward.

Ron Washington’s health complications have further complicated matters. The 73-year-old manager underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery and took medical leave shortly thereafter. Although Washington made a brief team visit in Texas on August 25, expressing his wish to return in 2026, insiders believe the Angels are already preparing for a managerial transition. The combination of this season’s collapse and uncertainty around Washington’s recovery has forced owner Arte Moreno to consider critical options for the dugout.

One surprising name has emerged in the rumors. Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) tweeted that “Albert Pujols could be hired as the Los Angeles Angels’ new manager, per @Elreydelaradio.” The speculation quickly sparked debate. Pujols, who signed his $240 million deal with Anaheim in 2012 and has spent multiple seasons in the organization, currently manages in the Dominican Winter League and will lead the Dominican Republic team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Though unconventional, Pujols’ candidacy aligns with Moreno’s pattern of favoring big-name hires.

Still, concerns persist regarding whether Pujols’ complicated history with the Angels could affect such a reunion. His tenure ended abruptly in 2021, following frustrations over playing time, which culminated in his release. ESPN’s Buster Olney suggested Moreno might overlook past tensions if management believes Pujols’ stature could revitalize the team. For a franchise starved for success, hiring a Hall of Famer may have greater appeal than Pujols’ lack of managerial experience.

The Angels’ track record of managerial instability adds another layer to this narrative. Since Mike Scioscia’s 2018 departure, the team has cycled through Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin, and Washington, with limited results. Pujols would symbolize not only a cultural reset but also a willingness to gamble on leadership outside established managerial pedigrees. Whether such a bold move ends the 11-year playoff drought remains uncertain, but groundwork for a significant overhaul is in motion in Anaheim.

Still, while Pujols has sparked heavy speculation, the team has not yet fully closed the door on their current manager.

Angels could have Ron Washington back in 2026

Despite his health setback, Ron Washington remains a respected figure within the Angels organization, and there is a genuine possibility he could return next season. After undergoing quadruple bypass surgery before the All-Star break, Washington was forced to step away indefinitely. However, insiders believe owner Arte Moreno will ultimately decide Washington’s future. At 73, Washington has already laid a foundation since assuming control in 2024, and some within the club believe continuity might better serve the Angels than another upheaval.

Interim manager Ray Montgomery has kept the team competitive during Washington’s absence, guiding the Angels to a record that already surpasses last season’s 63-99 finish. The modest progress raises questions about whether disrupting the staff again would stall momentum. While Washington’s health remains the primary factor, the Angels must carefully balance the promise of fresh leadership against maintaining the stability Washington has begun cultivating. For a franchise desperate to leave turmoil behind, this choice will significantly influence their 2026 trajectory.

The Angels stand at a crossroads. On one hand, Albert Pujols represents a high-profile gamble and an opportunity to reset the culture with a team legend at the helm. On the other hand, Ron Washington offers familiarity, respect, and continuity from a base already in place. With owner Arte Moreno making decisions, the coming months will determine whether Anaheim leans into nostalgia and steadies its course with experience or embraces a bold new direction.