3 Angels managerial candidates if John Mozeliak doesn't hire Albert Pujols to replace Kurt Suzuki

The Los Angeles Angels are operating different under interim GM John Mozeliak and at the conclusion of this season, their first make is pretty obvious: letting go of manager Kurt Suzuki. A fate that seems pretty clear after most of his pitching coaches were just fired.

While Suzuki has always seemed like a lame duck ever since he signed a one-year contract, his fate was absolutely sealed once Mozeliak took over. New executives like to install their own manager so even though Suzuki hasn’t been dreadful, it’s probably best for both sides to part ways.

There is going to be a lot of speculation about Albert Pujols given the fact that he interviewed for the job last year and has a relationship with Mozeliak since Pujols was a player when Mozeliak was running baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals.

3 possible candidates to replace Kurt Suzuki as Angels manager 

It may not be a slam dunk, though. Maybe Pujols gets a better opportunity somewhere else or he wants too much money. The Angels will have to have some contingency plans so let’s take a look at three candidates for the job not named Albert Pujols.

Torii Hunter

If the Angels want to go down the popular former player route, Torii Hunter wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize. He has been a candidate for the job in the past and is an adviser to the front office.

He doesn’t really have much coaching experience so he could be a bit of a risk but if Mozeliak wants a recognizable face that fans can get behind, then Hunter would not be the worst option.

Alex Cora

While the fired Boston Red Sox manager will likely be tied to higher-profile jobs, the Angels could present an interesting opportunity for Cora. If he wants a break from the high-pressure, win-now ethos of the East Coast, then he could go to sunny Southern California where there’s an understanding that it will take time for the team to contend.

He’s still a fairly young guy at 50 years old, so getting to inherit a young team that he can mold more could be exactly what he needs.

Ryan Flaherty

Currently the bench coach of the Chicago Cubs, Flaherty has been rumored to be a possible managerial candidate in the offseason. He’s 40 years old, so if Mozeliak is looking for a younger guy to manage a club that will likely lean on younger players he could be a good fit.

Really, whoever the Angels hire will have to be in lockstep with Mozeliak’s vision for the club. It seems nearly certain he will be taking on a full-time role with the club so if he is setting the vision for the future of the franchise the next manager is going to have to be on board with that.

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