Dusty Baker and Juan Soto Back Albert Pujols for MLB Manager Role Now

Speculation has swirled around Albert Pujols potentially stepping into a managerial role in Major League Baseball, but some insiders believe he deserves a position now. Pujols, currently the manager for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic, was in consideration for several MLB managerial openings this offseason, but those opportunities did not materialize.

With a remarkable playing career behind him, the question looms: can Pujols translate his on-field excellence to the dugout? Longtime manager Dusty Baker is confident that he can. “It shouldn’t be someday. He should be managing right now,” Baker stated in a conversation with The Athletic. Having managed Nicaragua in the World Baseball Classic, Baker emphasized that many current managers lack the depth of experience Pujols brings. “There are a lot of guys that are managing that don’t have the experience on the field of Albert Pujols,” he added. “There are a lot of guys in the game that don’t have the knowledge that Albert Pujols has or don’t have the respect from the players.”

Juan Soto, who is playing under Pujols during this year’s tournament, echoed Baker’s sentiments, describing the legendary first baseman as a vital presence in the clubhouse. “It’s truly incredible having a legend like Albert in the clubhouse, leading every single one of us as our manager,” Soto shared with reporters in Spanish, according to ESPN. “He’s been in our shoes and truly understands how we feel, how the pieces move on the field, every swing we take, every decision we make. He’s right there with us through it all, and that makes it something truly special and beautiful.”

During the offseason, Pujols engaged in discussions regarding managerial roles with the Angels, a team he played for over ten seasons, as well as the Padres and Orioles. However, each of those teams ultimately pursued other candidates. Reflecting on his managerial aspirations, Pujols acknowledged that he still has much to learn. “I had managers such as Tony La Russa, Dave Roberts, Joe Maddon, Oli Marmol, Hall of Famers,” he noted. “You learn a lot from them. This is something that I have been developing, and I have the chance to go to the stadium and learn something new every day.”

Pujols emphasized his commitment to growth, stating, “I don’t think that, just because I have been here for 23 years, I know everything. Every time I come to the stadium, I have this open mindset to learn, and I will learn with every play and go back to the hotel thinking, ‘Well, I could have done this a different way.’”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.