John Mozeliak stepped away from the Cardinals’ front office after the 2025 season. Thirty years with one organization will do that to a man. The move felt final at the time. Chaim Bloom stepped in as president of baseball operations, and the franchise pivoted toward a clearer rebuild.
Friday changed the script. The Angels fired Perry Minasian and named Mozeliak their interim general manager. He will oversee day-to-day baseball operations while the club searches for a permanent voice.
Mozeliak took over as general manager in 2008. Before that, as scouting director, he played a role in bringing Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina into the organization. Those two became the foundation. Later, as GM, he added the complementary talent that pushed the roster over the top. Lance Berkman brought veteran presence and on-base skills. Matt Holliday added power and edge. David Freese became October lore. Rafael Furcal supplied speed and defense up the middle. Allen Craig and Jason Motte delivered in critical spots. The group won it all.
The broader record reflects the consistency. Ten postseason appearances. Six National League Central titles. Five NLCS trips. A second World Series appearance in 2013.
After Pujols and Molina retired, the wins became harder to find. The 2023 season ended at 71-91, the first losing record since 2007. Playoff appearances stopped. The organization made the call to move in a new direction after 2025. Bloom inherited a roster with promise but also clear holes.
Now, in 2026, the Cardinals sit in playoff position. The young players who came through during Mozeliak’s later years — Brendan Donovan, Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, Ivan Herrera, Alec Burleson — are part of the foundation Bloom is building around. The contrast is sharp. The same front office that looked stuck in neutral for a couple of seasons has the club back in the mix.
The Angels have cycled through disappointment and front-office turnover. He inherits a roster that needs both short-term stabilization and longer-term direction. He will also work with owner Arte Moreno, whose involvement has created its own complications over the years. The interim tag means he steps in without the full runway a permanent hire would receive, yet the expectations remain high.
Still, the qualities that defined his Cardinals tenure travel with him. Mozeliak built through the draft and international signings. He made targeted additions that fit specific needs. He understood how to blend established talent with emerging pieces. Those same instincts will be tested immediately in Anaheim.