Angels decline option on Kurt Suzuki after first 100-loss season

The Los Angeles Angels have declined their 2027 option on manager Kurt Suzuki's contract, ending his one-season tenure following the franchise's first 100-loss season. Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the team's 62-100 record did not reflect Suzuki's true abilities.

Mozeliak expressed confidence in Suzuki's leadership qualities, stating that the manager had earned the respect of the clubhouse and that his deep care for the players was evident to those around him. The consultant maintained that the team's poor performance this year was not an accurate measure of Suzuki's managerial capabilities.

The Angels finished the 2026 regular season with 100 defeats, a total that only the Colorado Rockies surpassed in losses. This marked the first time in franchise history that the team recorded 100 losses in a single season. The organization has now posted 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons, the longest active skids in Major League Baseball.

Mozeliak stated that he made the decision in coordination with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which agreed on Sept. 1 to purchase a controlling interest in the Angels from Arte Moreno. Although the sale is not expected to close until next year, the group led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke is already implementing significant changes to the franchise. The team has offered Suzuki the opportunity to remain with the organization as a special assistant.

Suzuki had never served as a manager at any level before being hired exactly one year ago by then-general manager Perry Minasian. Prior to that role, Suzuki worked as Minasian's special assistant for three seasons. He ended his 16-year major league playing career as a catcher for the Angels in 2021-22.

Minasian was fired by Moreno last June, and Mozeliak stepped in on a temporary basis to run the front office while leading the search for a permanent general manager. That transition plan has been thrown into flux by Moreno's decision to sell, with Mozeliak's current contract ending in December and the possibility of an MLB work stoppage looming.

Suzuki's replacement will be the seventh manager to lead the Angels in nine seasons since the team parted ways with Mike Scioscia after the 2018 season. In August, pitching coach Mike Maddux and two staffers were let go after Mozeliak determined the team was not fully leveraging available technology and analytics for its pitchers. The Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros are also searching for new managers.