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Angels finally end Kurt Suzuki contract speculation, but there's a surprise twist

He was in an awkward spot.
ByJordan Campbell
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Sep 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki (8) walks back to the dugout after a visit to the mound against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Sep 13, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki (8) walks back to the dugout after a visit to the mound against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

With each passing day, it seemed that Kurt Suzuki had a stronger chance of sticking around as the Angels' manager. John Mozeliak had already endorsed Suzuki's efforts despite the team losing 100 games in 2026, but the elephant in the room was Stan Kroenke's expected arrival this offseason. Ultimately, the could be the reason why the Angels have ended Suzuki's managerial tenure.

The Angels have declined the 2027 option in Suzuki's contract, but are expected to offer him a chance to stay with the organization in a different role.

Angels finally let Kurt Suzuki out of limbo with manager decision, but there is a catch

The timing is certainly curious, considering that we are less than a week away from the World Series starting. Not to mention, with a looming lockout on December 2, things are expected to move quickly in November. Already needing a general manager, the Angels now have to find a manager before moving forward with their offseason planning.

It certainly isn't an ideal time for the Angels to be looking for a new manager, considering the two other managerial vacancies in baseball are two teams within their division. The Seattle Mariners have already begun interviewing candidates, and the Houston Astros appear to be in the process of drawing up a short list of candidates.

Circumstance pointed to this being the likely outcome for Suzuki once he signed a one-year deal with the team last winter that included multiple club options. Suzuki appeared to be tied at the hip with former Angels general manager Perry Minasian and once Minasian was fired, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

Though, no one would have expected the Angels to take this long in making a decision. Through back channels, it's possible that Mozeliak connected with Kroenke, and that was the reason for the delay. Kroenke's purchase of the Angels isn't expected to be completed until the early months of 2027.

Kroenke does value infrastructure before anything else, so that could be one incentive for the change. Assuming Mozeliak holds a position of authority in the Angels' front office moving forward, chances are he will find a manager that he has some type of history with. Of course, this likely wil fuel even more speculation that Albert Pujols could finally be positioned to get the job.

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