Angels Part Ways With Manager Kurt Suzuki Following 100-Loss Season
The team's decision comes as Kroenke Sports & Entertainment prepares to finalize its purchase of the franchise.
The Los Angeles Angels have declined the 2027 contract option for manager Kurt Suzuki, marking the end of his one-season tenure. The move follows the team's 100-loss season, the first in franchise history, which placed them second to last in the league ahead of only the Colorado Rockies.
Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak announced the decision, stating that while Suzuki earned respect, the team's record did not reflect his abilities. "Kurt has earned tremendous respect in our clubhouse, and I’ve seen firsthand how much he cares about our players," Mozeliak said. "I do not believe our record this year was a true reflection of his true abilities as a manager."
The Angels organization is on the cusp of a new ownership era, with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, agreeing to purchase a controlling interest from Arte Moreno. The sale is expected to close next year.
Suzuki, who played catcher for the Angels from 2021-2022, had no prior managerial experience before being hired a year ago by then-general manager Perry Minasian. Suzuki previously served as Minasian's special assistant for three seasons. The team has offered Suzuki an opportunity to remain with the organization in a special assistant role.
Minasian was fired by Moreno in June, and Mozeliak, the longtime general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, stepped in on an interim basis to oversee baseball operations and the search for a permanent general manager. Mozeliak's current contract is set to expire in December.
In August, Angels pitching coach Mike Maddux and two other staff members were let go after Mozeliak determined the team was not fully utilizing available technology and analytics for its pitchers.
Suzuki's departure means the Angels will be searching for their seventh manager since parting ways with Mike Scioscia after the 2018 season. The team is currently mired in the longest active streaks in Major League Baseball with 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight seasons without a playoff appearance. The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are also in the market for new managers.