Will Albert Pujols one day make it big after failing to find a job?

The timing seemed perfect for Albert Pujols to land his first job as a manager with a number of teams in need of a new skipper this offseason. He was considered the favorite for the Los Angeles Angels job. But negotiations broke down over disagreements over coaching staff and compensation. After all The Angels signed Kurt Suzuki.

The San Diego Padres have expressed interest in the former first baseman. Pujols got a second interview with a team that lasted nine and a half hours. But San Diego went to a different direction.

“Albert Pujols is certainly someone who wants to manage. But it tells me that there have been nine openings … and he’s not getting any of them,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said of the offense’s territory. “I would expect that his desire, to find his way, will not disappear… The question is whether the game will welcome him in that role. I don’t know the answer to that.”

Will Albert Pujols become a major league manager?

Despite Pujols’ marathon meeting with San Diego, The Padres signed former reliever Craig Stamen as their next manager. Like Pujols, Stamen has no major or minor coaching experience in the League.

Lack of experience has not been an issue this offseason. The The San Francisco Giants made history with the hiring of Tony Wittel, who went straight from college baseball to the pros.

“Albert Pujols is certainly an interesting guy to hire. He would also be a tough guy to fire. And that’s part of the problem in my opinion. And with great players, you don’t always get a great manager,” Rosenthal noted. “But at the same time, if we’re so bold here, if we’re hiring all these out-of-the-box guys, why not Albert Pujols?”

Rosenthal suggested that teams might be afraid of the former loser’s strong personality. However, he dismissed the idea of ​​Pujols honing it in the minors while waiting for his shot as a big league manager.

“If I were Albert, I’d say no to that. And the reason is because there are so many others being hired who haven’t done it, who aren’t Albert Pujols.”

While fans are unlikely to see Pujols handle High-A ball in Greensboro, he will add to his resume in the spring. Pujols is slated to lead the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.