Albert Pujols’ latest managerial interview comes with a familiar Cardinals connection

Future Hall of Famer and 12-year St. Louis Cardinals veteran Albert Pujols has been linked to many managerial jobs since his retirement from professional baseball, including the vacancy of one of his former teams, the Los Angeles Angels. However, according to The Athletic, Pujols is expected to interview with the Houston Astros following their dismissal of Joe Espada, who spent three seasons managing the Astros.

Pujols joining the Astros would be quite the switch-up for fans, as both St. Louis and Houston supporters have seen him dominate the Astros throughout his career. In 13 postseason appearances against Houston, Pujols hit .412 with 21 hits, 15 RBIs, 13 runs scored and six home runs, including the infamous Game 5 three-run home run in the ninth inning of the 2005 NLCS.

After an All-Star campaign in his age-42 season, in what was his final year with the Cardinals, Pujols began his managerial career in addition to a role as a broadcaster. Pujols first managed in the Dominican Republic, leading the Leones del Escogido to a 2025 Caribbean Series Championship. He later represented his home country, managing the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, earning a bronze medal.

Former Cardinals Albert Pujols and Randy Flores could lead this next Astros team

All the while Pujols has had his eyes on returning to the big leagues. Thus far, "The Machine" has interviewed with both the San Diego Padres and the aforementioned Angels. Similar to his connection with the Angels, Pujols also has a new connection in Houston. After the Astros parted ways with former general manager Dana Brown, they brought in Randy Flores, an eight-year MLB veteran in his own right, who spent five seasons with the Cardinals and was a former teammate of Pujols. The two were together throughout Flores' entire tenure with the Cardinals, winning the 2006 World Series together.

Since taking the job, Flores hasn't offered much information on what the Astros are looking for in a new hire, saying, “I will say that I will lean on network, experience, and expertise to help this club move forward.”

Although he isn't a manager, Pujols still works with the Angels to this day as a part of a 10-year, $10 million professional services contract that began following his retirement. This upcoming season would be Pujols' fifth in this role with the franchise. If he were to be hired by the Astros, he'd have to agree to a buyout with Los Angeles.

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