Angels Turn the Page on Suzuki, Mozeliak as New Era Begins
October 23, 2026 - Written by Bryan Whitfield
With the Angels moving on from Kurt Suzuki, three AL West teams now have managerial openings. #MLBTonight reacts to the decision and what moves could be next in Anaheim. https://t.co/X9Wl6J1hro
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 22, 2026
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding Kurt Suzuki's future, the Los Angeles Angels officially declined his managerial option for 2027 on Wednesday, ending his tenure as manager after just one season.
Despite the decision, Suzuki was offered an opportunity to remain with the organization as a special assistant, a position he previously held from 2023 to 2025.
Angels interim general manager and baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak said in a statement that discussions with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment's leadership influenced the decision to seek a new manager and coaching staff for 2027.
Mozeliak defended Suzuki's abilities despite the team's disappointing 62-100 record, which marked the first 100-loss season in franchise history. He also thanked the coaching staff for their efforts throughout a difficult season, noting that some members had been offered other positions within the organization.
Speaking with Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, Suzuki acknowledged that the decision wasn't unexpected given the incoming ownership change.
Suzuki explained that changes in organizational leadership often result in new decision-makers bringing in their preferred personnel, something he understands comes with the business. He also indicated that he remains undecided on whether to accept the Angels' offer to return as a special assistant, having already received interest from other organizations regarding major league opportunities.
While Suzuki certainly wasn't placed in an ideal position to succeed, his departure gives the Angels an opportunity to establish a new direction in the dugout. Questions surrounding his bullpen management, lineup construction and handling of younger players persisted throughout a difficult 2026 campaign. Although the team's struggles cannot be placed entirely on Suzuki, there were decisions throughout the season that raised legitimate concerns about his effectiveness as manager.
Mozeliak Prepares to Step Aside
Mozeliak also announced that he does not intend to lead the Angels' baseball operations department in 2027, instead planning to fulfill his current responsibilities and assist with the transition to new ownership.
In comments reported by Fletcher, Mozeliak explained that he never envisioned himself as the organization's long-term solution and believes the position should ultimately be filled by someone committed to overseeing the franchise's future.
Mozeliak intends to assist the Angels in identifying his successor before stepping aside, allowing the incoming leadership to establish its own direction for the organization.
Despite his relatively brief tenure, Mozeliak helped guide the Angels through a transitional period following Perry Minasian's dismissal in June. His work at the trade deadline and efforts to reshape the organization's baseball operations infrastructure could provide a foundation for the next front-office leader to build upon.
One interesting aspect of Mozeliak's departure is his previous support for Suzuki. Following the conclusion of the regular season, Mozeliak publicly expressed his desire to retain Suzuki for 2027, although he acknowledged that the final decision would ultimately rest with incoming ownership. With Kroenke Sports & Entertainment choosing to move in a different direction, it's fair to question whether differing visions for the organization played any role in Mozeliak's decision not to remain long-term. However, there has been no indication that such disagreements directly influenced his departure.
The Angels have yet to begin interviewing candidates for their next general manager, a process that could take several weeks. According to Fletcher's reporting, the process of hiring a new general manager, followed by a manager, could extend into the final weeks of 2026 or even the early part of 2027.
A New Era Under Stan Kroenke
The Angels are preparing for a clean slate under incoming owner Stan Kroenke, with new baseball operations leadership, a new manager and a revamped coaching staff expected to be in place for 2027. While it's too early to know which candidates will emerge, the arrival of new ownership could make these vacancies highly sought-after opportunities across the sport.
Last month, Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports highlighted how the Angels' general manager position has become significantly more attractive following Stan Kroenke's agreement to purchase the franchise.
Dorsey suggested that a position previously viewed as one of baseball's least desirable front-office openings could now rank among its most appealing, particularly given Kroenke's financial resources and track record of success across professional sports.
An anonymous American League general manager told Dorsey that the Angels' opening had suddenly become one of the most sought-after opportunities in baseball, with executives expected to be interested in the chance to build an organization under new ownership.
What's Next for the Angels?
With the World Series approaching, attention could soon shift toward potential candidates from some of baseball's most respected front offices. Both organizations playing in this years fall classic, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, have developed reputations for maximizing their resources, developing talent and consistently finding ways to remain competitive despite operating with financial limitations.
For an Angels organization looking to establish a new identity under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, executives with experience building sustainable success could be particularly appealing. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Guardians are two other organizations worth watching, given their respective track records in player development and organizational stability.
While no specific candidates have publicly emerged as frontrunners, the opportunity to build a baseball operations department under new ownership could make Anaheim one of the more intriguing destinations for executives across the sport.
The coming weeks and months could prove to be among the most consequential in franchise history. With a new ownership group preparing to take control, the Angels have an opportunity to reshape their baseball operations department, establish a new organizational philosophy and begin building toward sustained success.
For a franchise that has spent more than a decade searching for answers, the decisions made this offseason could determine whether this new era in Anaheim finally delivers the change fans have been waiting for.
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