Future HOFer Albert Pujols on Mets' managerial opening: 'I'd love to get the opportunity'
Manager Albert Pujols of Team Dominican Republic participates in a practice session for the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 12, 2026 in Miami, Fla Credit: Getty Images/Gene Wang
One of the all-time MLB greats, it seems, would welcome a chance to manage the Mets.
In an interview with MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger on Friday, Albert Pujols — the 11-time All-Star who had 703 career homers and should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2028 — was asked about his interest in the Mets’ vacancy after the team fired Carlos Mendoza. He certainly seemed intrigued.
“I’d love to get the opportunity,” he said. “I mean, I’ve been vocal and saying it over the last couple of years. I want to have that opportunity if it ever comes to me. Not just the Mets. You have 29 other teams that can also give me the opportunity.
“This past year, got a couple of interviews. It went well. So I took the managerial job in the Dominican Republic. I had great success. Being around so many superstars this year in the WBC was awesome.
“Hopefully, if that opportunity comes, of course. Who doesn’t want to take this job? Especially with the history and that talent that team has.”
Pujols, 46, said he has had a great relationship with Juan Soto since Soto was a rookie. He managed the Dominican Republic, including Soto, in the World Baseball Classic in March.
Pujols was in the conversation for the Angels’ managerial opening last offseason before they hired Kurt Suzuki. Pujols doesn’t have any MLB coaching experience but has managed in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) and is the president of baseball operations for LIDOM’s Estrellas Orientales.
Pujols was asked what specifically is attractive about the Mets’ job.
“I think you have an owner that wants to win, wants to spend,” he said. “That’s always huge. You have the talent in the field, although this year hasn’t been great for them because of the injuries. When they built this ballclub into the offseason, into spring training, they never thought they were going to have so many injuries like this.
“And yeah, you look at that record and you say, whoa, why are they playing so poorly? And it’s because the guys that they brought in haven’t been healthy in the field.
“I think when you look at the talent that they have, they have some good pieces right there that you kind of are looking around [saying], wow, why hasn’t it worked out? I don’t know. I’m not there, so I can’t tell you.”
Notes & quotes: Lefthander Zach Thornton, the Mets’ No. 12 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to clear space for Christian Scott, Saturday’s starter. Thornton tossed a strong six innings against the Phillies on Friday, allowing one run, five hits and one walk and striking out seven in his second career start. Interim manager Andy Green said: “We’re not necessarily pressed to replace him at this moment. I fully expect to see Zach back here. But he’ll likely have an opportunity to go down there and pitch in Triple-A for a bit, and he needs to go dominate what’s in front of him and continue to be a professional.” . . . Jorge Polanco (Achilles, wrist) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
