Albert Pujols: a nearly 10-hour interview with the Padres

For several weeks, the name of Albert Pujols has been talked about in the MLB. However, what is interesting is that we are talking about him… in connection with the manager positions which are vacant throughout the Manfred circuit.

He was mainly linked to the Angels (who ultimately opted for Kurt Suzuki), but also to the Orioles (before Craig Albernaz got the job).

However, there is another club that has shown interest in Pujols: the San Diego Padres. The club is looking for a successor to Mike Shildt… and Pujols is one of the finalists for the position.

Now, what's interesting is that we really feel that the Padres are serious about Pujols. And yesterday, we had a very good example of this, when Pujols had a second interview for the position.

And this interview lasted… 9:30 hours.

Pujols, who was to be on the air of MLB Network yesterday for Game #4 of the World Series, so ultimately couldn't be there (note, however, that he is there this evening). And what is clear is that all of this has to do with the fact that he is a serious candidate in San Diego.

When a team wants to chat with you for almost 10 hours, it's because they really believe in your candidacy, you know.

You would think that Pujols, who is a legend of the sport, would quickly gain the respect of the club's stars. But again, we're talking about a guy who has never been a manager in North America.

But if it worked for Martin St-Louis and the Canadiens, maybe it will work for Pujols in San Diego (if he is the club's choice, obviously). Remember that the club intends to appoint its new manager within a few days: let's see if Pujols will be the chosen one… because there are starting to be fewer and fewer positions available across the league, especially since Derek Shelton (the former manager of the Pirates) has just inherited the one in Minnesota.