Los Angeles Angels Fire Manager Kurt Suzuki Following Historic 100-Loss Season
Los Angeles Angels part ways with manager Kurt Suzuki after a historic 100-loss season. Read the full report on the team's leadership changes.
POLICY WIRE — Anaheim, California — The Los Angeles Angels have officially entered a new ownership era by dismissing manager Kurt Suzuki on Wednesday following a dismal campaign where the club dropped 100 games during his inaugural year at the helm.
Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak revealed in an official statement that the franchise chose to decline the 2027 option on Suzuki’s contract, though the former catcher was extended an invitation to remain involved with the organization as a special assistant.
Mozeliak praised Suzuki for building immense respect within the clubhouse and emphasized that the team’s 62-100 record did not accurately mirror his true coaching capabilities. The decision was coordinated alongside Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the sports conglomerate led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, which finalized a purchase agreement to buy controlling ownership of the Angels from Arte Moreno on Sept. 1.
Although the acquisition is not scheduled to close until next year, active restructuring has already begun for the struggling ballclub. The franchise’s 100-loss season marked a historic low for the organization, finishing dead last in the American League West during Suzuki’s sole season in charge.
Suzuki previously concluded his 16-year MLB playing career as a catcher for the Halos across the 2021-22 seasons. Having never managed at any professional level prior to his hiring exactly one year ago by general manager Perry Minasian, Suzuki’s transition path was upended by Moreno’s choice to sell.
Mozeliak’s own future remains uncertain as his current contract expires in December amid the looming threat of an MLB work stoppage. He also noted that Suzuki’s coaching staff will see major changes, with only select members offered alternative roles within the organization.
The incoming skipper will represent the seventh manager to lead the team in the nine seasons since the departure of Mike Scioscia following the 2018 campaign. The Angels currently shoulder 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight years without a playoff appearance, standing as the longest active skids across major league baseball.
With this move, the Angels join the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros in establishing the league’s three active managerial vacancies, all situated within the American League West.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
