Albert Pujols in Mix for Astros Manager Opening, Report Says

WHO:

MLB Trade Rumors - Brad Ausmus was the Yankees’ bench coach for the past three years.

MLB.com - Astros general manager Randy Flores is set to interview Albert Pujols and Morgan Ensberg for Houston’s vacant manager job, according to sources. The Astros had not confirmed the interviews.

MLB.com - Flores and Pujols were Cardinals teammates from 2004–08 and won the World Series together in 2006. Flores and Ensberg were USC teammates from 1995–97.

MLB.com - Pujols is a 46-year-old former slugger who retired after the 2022 season. Over a 22-year playing career, he hit 703 home runs, 686 doubles and 2,218 RBIs; he was an 11-time All-Star, won two World Series and three NL MVP Awards.

MLB.com - Pujols managed Leones del Escogido to the Dominican Winter League title in 2024–25 and managed Team Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, where the team finished third. He has not managed in MLB.

MLB.com - Ensberg, 51, managed the Triple-A Durham Bulls for three seasons after managing the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits for four seasons, leading Montgomery to four postseason berths. He has also managed in the Arizona Fall League and winter ball in Venezuela.

MLB.com - Brad Ausmus, 57, also interviewed for Houston’s manager position; he previously managed the Tigers from 2014–17 and the Angels in 2019, compiling a 386–422 record.

Newsweek - Newsweek described Pujols as a St. Louis Cardinals legend and future Hall of Famer.

NY Post - The New York Post reported that Pujols was interviewing for the Astros’ managerial opening.

WHAT:

MLB Trade Rumors - Albert Pujols hit 62 home runs against Houston, more than he hit against any other opponent.

MLB Trade Rumors - Pujols’s three-run playoff homer came off Astros closer Brad Lidge in Game 5 of the NLCS.

MLB Trade Rumors - After his playing career, Morgan Ensberg began coaching at the college level, joined the Astros’ minor-league system as a coach in 2013, and became a manager of Houston’s Single-A affiliate in 2017.

MLB Trade Rumors - Tampa Bay appointed Ensberg manager of its Double-A team in 2019; he led Montgomery through 2023 before moving to Triple-A in 2024.

MLB.com - Pujols was scheduled to arrive in Houston and interview at Daikin Park. Ensberg was also expected to interview.

MLB.com - Houston was seeking a replacement for Joe Espada. Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta was also to be interviewed, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

MLB.com - Ausmus interviewed with Astros officials for the general manager job that went to Flores; the manager role was discussed.

MLB.com - Pujols hit more home runs against the Astros than any other player, including a three-run, ninth-inning go-ahead homer in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS in Houston.

MLB.com - Pujols signed a 10-year, $10 million personal-services contract with the Angels as part of a $240 million deal made before the 2012 season.

MLB.com - Ensberg played seven of his eight MLB seasons for Houston. In 2005, he hit .283/.388/.557 with 36 home runs and 101 RBIs, finished fourth in MVP voting, became an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award; Houston reached the World Series.

NY Post - The New York Post reported that the Astros were coming off an 81–81 season.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The managerial interviews were for the Houston Astros, with Pujols’s interview planned at Daikin Park in Houston.

MLB.com - Flores was scheduled to attend the General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The Astros hired Randy Flores as the team’s 15th general manager.

MLB Trade Rumors - Team Dominican Republic reached the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals but lost to Team USA.

MLB.com - Pujols’s personal-services contract began after his retirement in 2022.

WHY:

MLB.com - Flores said he would seek trust, energy and chemistry in a manager, emphasizing communication and trust under pressure.

HOW:

MLB.com - Flores said manager selection would involve evaluating game management, in-game and major-league development, bullpen use, arsenal creation and decision-making.

The Houston Astros are interviewing Albert Pujols and Morgan Ensberg for their vacant managerial job. Pujols, a first-time major-league manager, previously led a Dominican Winter League team to a championship. Former Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus also interviewed, as Houston seeks a replacement for Joe Espada.