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The San Diego Padres have been conducting interviews this week to try to identify the person who will be leading the team in 2026. There have been several names in various reports since Mike Shildt announced his retirement, and one of the names that seemed to draw the most attention was Albert Pujols.
The former slugger and presumptive Hall of Famer has never managed in the MLB, and has minimal coaching experience since he retired in 2022. It is a bit surprising that Pujols has gotten the attention he has just three years removed from his playing days. Catchers are typically considered the managers in waiting, but Pujols was primarily a first baseman and designated hitter over his career, which saw him don the uniforms of the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Does Pujols have the experience, leadership and cachet that is required of the person taking over a team with stars like Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr., among others? As a player, he has all that and then some, but as a manager, that will have to be determined if he gets an opportunity in San Diego.
Padres fans are split on Pujols and that makes a lot of sense considering he recently retired, has limited managerial experience and would be a first time MLB manager. None of that means he would not have success, but it also does not mean that he would.
There are many decisions ahead for the Padres, but the first decision may be the most difficult. After back-to-back 90-win seasons under Shildt, whoever takes over in San Diego will have high expectations thrust upon them and will need to help the Padres get back to the postseason.
