Gil’s track record in both the Mexican Pacific League (4 championships) and the Mexican Baseball League (Manager of the Year with an expansion team) speaks volumes about his ability to develop and lead rosters under varied circumstances.
Proven success at the international level: Leading Team Mexico to the WBC semifinals in 2023 showed his capacity to manage high-pressure games and build trust with top-tier talent.
Bilingual and culturally attuned: With a diverse MLB clubhouse, Gil’s bilingual fluency and international coaching background would be huge assets for communication and leadership.
Other candidates, while intriguing, have notable drawbacks
Albert Pujols: Charismatic and respected, yes — but he lacks experience managing at the professional level in the U.S. The media spotlight and pressure would be massive, and possibly a distraction for an already unstable team.
Torii Hunter: A fan favorite and natural leader, but he’s never managed or coached professionally. Jumping straight to MLB manager is a huge leap.
Darin Erstad: Solid college record and Angels pedigree, but hasn’t coached at the pro level since his playing days.
Bengie Molina / Kurt Suzuki: Minimal coaching experience and mostly inactive in dugout roles for nearly a decade.
Summary
If the Angels want credibility, development chops, and a modern manager with a deep baseball resume, Benji Gil is the logical, most qualified choice. If they want a headline-grabbing wildcard with long-term potential, Albert Pujols might get the nod — but it would be a gamble.
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