Albert Pujols is interested in becoming the manager of the New York Mets and working for owner Steve Cohen.
“I think you have an owner that wants to win and wants to spend, that’s huge,” Pujols told MLB Network on Friday, hours after the Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoa.
“You have the talent in the field, although this year hasn’t been great for them.”
Despite a payroll just shy of $330 million, the Mets (34-48) reside in the cellar of the National League East. They endured a 12-game losing streak in April and carried a seven-game losing streak into Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Pujols, 46, told the network that injuries have played a significant role in the Mets’ misfortunes this season.
“When they built this club in the offseason and into spring training, they never thought they would have so many injuries like this,” he said. “You look at that record and 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. When you look at the talent they have, they have some good pieces right there.
“No matter where it is, I’m going to bring in my experience learning from great managers in the past and try my best to build a great relationship with the players. Because at the end of the day, I believe that communication is huge with your players.”
Mendoza, 46, was 206-199 during his two-plus seasons as manager of the Mets, who tabbed Andy Green as the interim skipper for the remainder of the campaign. Green had been with the club in a player development role.
Pujols reportedly was in consideration for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial job before the team tabbed Kurt Suzuki for the role last October.
Pujols would see a familiar face in New York with Juan Soto, who played under him for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic.
Pujols’ playing career largely consisted of two acts: a Hall of Fame-worthy 11-year stint with the St. Louis Cardinals (2001-11), then a mostly mediocre 10-year run with the Angels (2012-21). He also had a career-ending coda consisting of a brief stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2021) and a farewell year with the Cardinals (2022).
A three-time Most Valuable Player, 11-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, Pujols was part of World Series championship teams with St. Louis in 2006 and 2011.
His 703 home runs rank fourth on the all-time list, and he is second with 2,218 RBIs.
