After missing the postseason for the third consecutive year in 2025, the St. Louis Cardinals have a long list of tasks to complete this summer as they rebuild.
Meanwhile, in Major League Baseball, two club icons want to try their hand at management. Yadier Molina has shown an interest in joining the coaching staff in 2026, while fellow future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols was recently considered for managerial positions with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres.
However, late on Sunday, the Orioles appointed Cleveland Guardians associate manager Craig Alberanz as their next manager, removing Pujols from consideration for the Baltimore position. This might eventually offer him an inside track on getting the Padres job.
What’s Next For Cardinals Legend Albert Pujols?
Pujols spent 12 of his 22 seasons with the Cardinals. After retiring in 2022, he returned to the Los Angeles Angels on a personal services contract. He was the top contender for the Angels’ position, but the two parties were unable to reach an agreement.
Now that the Orioles have picked their new manager, Pujols is no longer a candidate for the position. That appears to put him in an excellent position to take over as manager of the San Diego Padres from former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt.
Pujols has no managing experience beyond the Dominican Winter League. He guided the Leones del Escogido to a championship last year and is now set to lead the Dominican national team in next year’s World Baseball Classic.
The Padres are sure to have other contenders in the race, but Pujols may suddenly be the favorite. If he were to get the position, he would be joining a whole new organization, but he would quickly get the respect of the Padres’ clubhouse owing to his playing accomplishments.
He acquired great experience last winter and might be a good fit for the Padres. If he doesn’t get the job in San Diego, the Cardinals might consider bringing him back as an assistant coach under manager Oli Marmol.
It will be intriguing to see what comes next for the Cardinals great and eventual Hall of Famer. Pujols would be an intriguing candidate to manage if he secures a position anywhere, and he may do so shortly, either with the Padres or somewhere.