ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Los Angeles Angels have dismissed manager Kurt Suzuki following a season in which the team lost 100 games under his leadership. Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating that the Angels would not exercise the option on Suzuki's contract and would begin seeking a new manager for the 2027 season. Suzuki has been offered a role to remain with the organization as a special assistant.
Mozeliak issued a statement acknowledging Suzuki's contributions, indicating that Suzuki had earned significant respect within the clubhouse and demonstrated genuine care for the players. While Mozeliak suggested that the team's record this year did not fully reflect Suzuki's managerial capabilities, the change was deemed necessary.
The decision, Mozeliak noted, was made in collaboration with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. This group is in the process of acquiring controlling ownership of the team from Arte Moreno, with the sale anticipated to finalize next year. Despite the pending nature of the acquisition, the sports conglomerate, led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, is already implementing substantial changes within the baseball organization.
In his sole season as manager, Suzuki oversaw the Angels to a 62-100 record, marking the franchise's first 100-loss season in its history. The team finished last in the AL West. Before taking on the managerial role, Suzuki had a 16-year career in Major League Baseball as a catcher, concluding his playing days with the Angels in 2021-2022. He had no prior managerial experience at any professional level. Former general manager Perry Minasian, who had previously employed Suzuki as his special assistant for three seasons, initially hired Suzuki for the manager position.
The organizational structure has been in flux since Minasian's firing by Moreno last June. Mozeliak, a longtime general manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, stepped in on an interim basis to oversee the front office and lead the search for a permanent general manager. Moreno's decision to sell the team has further complicated this transition plan. Mozeliak did not specify his own long-term future with the team but indicated that his decision regarding Suzuki was made with a focus on the team's prospects for 2027 and beyond.
Further changes are expected across the coaching staff. Mozeliak indicated that Suzuki's entire coaching staff is unlikely to return to their current positions, though some members have been offered other roles within the organization. These adjustments follow earlier personnel shifts made by Mozeliak in August when he dismissed pitching coach Mike Maddux and two additional staffers. These earlier removals were attributed to concerns that the team was not adequately utilizing available technology and analytics for its pitchers. At that time, Tim Leveque, who had been the Angels' Double-A pitching coach, was promoted to the major league staff.
Suzuki's successor will be the seventh manager, including interims, to lead the Angels in nine seasons since Mike Scioscia departed after the 2018 season. The team continues to face significant challenges, holding the distinction of having 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons, both being the longest active streaks in Major League Baseball. The Angels' managerial vacancy is now one of three current openings in MLB, all within the AL West, with the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros also having parted ways with their managers after the season.
