Angels coach Bo Porter is hoping to get another chance to manager in the majors, as he told The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli recently. More specifically, Ghiroli writes that Porter is “very interested” in the current managerial vacancy in Anaheim.
Porter, 53, was previously the manager of the Astros from 2013-14. That stint in Houston did not go especially well, as the club went a combined 110-190 under his guidance in those two seasons. Outside of that managerial stint, Porter’s previously served as the third base coach with the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Nationals, and Braves. He was initially hired as the first base coach in Anaheim but was moved to third base in May. He also played parts of three seasons in the majors with the Cubs, A’s, and Rangers.
For Porter and any other former managers hoping for another shot, the current landscape is certainly a favorable one. There are seven teams currently hunting for a new manager. While the Giants seem to be closing in on their decision, searches are still ongoing in Anaheim, San Diego, Baltimore, Minnesota, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. while the Rockies have not yet even begun the managerial search as they sort out who will run the front office going forward. While it seems as though Porter is more broadly interested in a return to managing, he specifically highlighted his desire to be considered for the job in Anaheim again after interviewing for the role back in 2023 before it ultimately went to Ron Washington.
“I would enjoy managing the Angels because I’ve been there the last two years, I’ve made an investment there,” Porter told Ghiroli, “The relationships have already been fortified.”
He went on to note that he’s made his interest in interviewing for the job known to club GM Perry Minasian. As noted by Ghiroli, at one point it seemed as though the Angels’ managerial search might be a quick one given future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols’s status as the favorite. Since then, however, Pujols has also interviewed with the Orioles while the Angels have begun to interview other candidates. That seemed to suggest a more wide open search, but Ghiroli reports that some of the candidates the Angels were previously reported as hoping to interview for the position have not yet been contacted by the Angels.
That could be taken as an indication that the tide is shifting away from a wider managerial search, though it’s also possible the club is waiting for more information on Pujols’s candidacy before more fully conducting a wider search. After all, Pujols was viewed as the heavy favorite for the job at the outset of the offseason and was known to be actively discussing a contract with Angels brass less than two weeks ago. Of course, it’s also possible that the Angels are simply opting to take their time with their search for a new manager. That would make particular sense if the club has interest in interviewing any personnel from the Dodgers, Mariners, or Blue Jays organizations given that all three of those clubs are still in the playoff mix at this point.