Albert Pujols, a three-time MVP and future Hall of Famer, is officially in the mix for the Houston Astros’ vacant manager position. The Astros are looking for a new dugout boss after firing Joe Espada following the 2026 season and moving on from general manager Dana Brown back in August. Newly hired GM Randy Flores now has the big task of finding their next leader, and Pujols’ name at the top of the list is a major talking point around the league.
Pujols Eyeing the Dugout, Other Candidates Loom
Pujols has made it known for a while that he wants to be an MLB manager. He was already interviewing for vacancies with both the Padres and Angels last offseason, showing he’s serious about this jump. Plus, he even managed the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic just this past spring. The guy clearly wants to lead. The Athletic reports the Astros will interview Pujols this week. It’s also worth remembering that Pujols is currently in the fourth year of a huge 10-year, $100 million personal services contract with the Angels, a deal that was part of his monster player contract way back before the 2012 season. He’s got roots, but the managerial itch is strong. Alongside Pujols, the Astros are also looking at Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta and Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, who also managed the Tigers and Angels previously. This is a crucial hire for Houston’s future.
Orioles Ready to Deal, Rasmussen a Record-Breaker
Switching gears to the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers on pretty much any player not named Pete Alonso. They are laser-focused on bringing in starting pitching and outfield help. The Baltimore Banner says they aren’t “actively shopping” anyone, but they know a trade is one of the clearest paths to upgrading those spots. You can bet your last dollar they aren’t going to sell low on Gunnar Henderson, not with his immense upside. He’s likely off the table unless some team drops a truly ridiculous offer.
However, Baltimore has a serious glut of infielders. With Alonso locked in at first and Henderson at short, they’ve got Jackson Holliday, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jordan Westburg, and Coby Mayo all vying for just two other spots, even with a designated hitter option. It’s not hard to see where a deal could happen there, especially with guys like Westburg and Encarnacion-Strand under team control through 2029, Holliday through 2030, and Mayo through 2031. They’ve got assets, that’s for sure.
Meanwhile, the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays recently picked up the $20 million club option for their All-Star starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen. That’s a massive move for them because that $20 million is a franchise-record salary for a single player in one season. It might seem a little wild to pick up an option for that kind of money, then immediately consider trading the guy, but locking Rasmussen into a one-year deal like that actually makes him a really attractive trade candidate for other teams looking for a proven arm. The offseason rumor mill is already churning!
It’s clear that teams across MLB are already making moves and laying the groundwork for what’s going to be a wild winter. With managers needing to be hired and trades potentially on the horizon, these next few weeks leading up to the November 17 deadline for qualifying offer decisions are going to be absolutely packed. Keep your eyes peeled, folks, this offseason is just getting started!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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