11:54am: If Dipoto ultimately leaves, there are some indications that assistant GM Matt Klentak would be handed the reigns, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter).
If you’re interested in getting some more insight on Klentak, give a listen to his appearance on the MLBTR Podcast back in October.
10:36am: The Angels are attempting to keep GM Jerry Dipoto in his position, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Club owner Arte Moreno and president John Carpino are “trying to broker a peace” between Dipoto and skipper Mike Scioscia, per the report.
Numerous reports suggested that Dipoto cleaned out his office and informed at least some personnel that he planned to resign last night. It seemed that we were but an announcement away from learning that the Halos would need a new general manager, and while that still may be the case, it seems that the club’s top leadership is not interested in replacing Dipoto.
Whatever the long-term prospects are for Dipoto and Scioscia to deliver harmonious and successful leadership for the Angels, it is obvious that this is not an opportune time to make a change in the GM seat. Los Angeles is just four games back in the AL West despite a somewhat tepid start, and has some obvious roster holes to fill over the coming month.
Fire Arte instead
I hope DiPoto stands his ground and demands that Scioscia and friends enter the 21st century. If things are remain as they are, then he’s just delaying the inevitable for a more convenient time for the Angels, which makes him weaker. Be strong, Jerry!
Bottom line, this is what happens when owners meddle too much. The whole situation is proof positive that Dipoto does not have the authority to fire his manager, an authority pretty much every other GM in baseball has. You don’t resign because of an underling’s insubordination. You resign because you have your feet cut out from under you trying to handle that.
I don’t have any strong opinion on Dipoto or Scioscia. Don’t care who stays or goes, if either of them does. But owners need to step back and let the people they hired to run the club run the club.
Phillies will likely have a new GM next season. I’m not overly familiar with how good/bad Dipoto is, but I’ll take anyone over Ruben Amaro Jr. at this point. C’mon over to Philly, Jerry!
Being a huge Dodger fan I love hearing that Angels are burning to the ground from the inside out and it has been a banner year for that. But as a baseball fan I think the Angels should look to clean house of Mike and Jerry. The excuse that Mike is one of the best managers in baseball is old and tired just like the way Mike views the game of baseball. If he doesn’t want to adjust, change his views and use statistics the way so many other teams do including the other two MLB teams closest to Anaheim then eventually he is going to be fired anyways. 2002 was a long time ago.
Jerry should be fired because the Angels aren’t any better with him as GM than they are without him. The track record is clear. The majority of signings and trades that have been made while Jerry has been GM have been a determent to the organization than being positive. Example, beside the Josh Hamilton deal is how that Freri trade worked out. He is currently available because he was DFA’d last week from the Rays.
Most of the bad deals are a result of the owner, not the GM, or from the previous GM Tony Reagins. The Freri trade worked out well… they traded very little to get a guy who closed out 27 saves, then 30 the next season. And then was traded away for Jason Grilli who came in as a very serviceable 7th inning guy.
What about the deals that got them Andrew Heaney for one year of Howie Kendrick. Or trading Mark Trumbo to get Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs.
Dipoto should start trading players away.. If a manager doesn’t want to play ball just force his hand..
I believe it’s more about defensive positioning, etc… Doesn’t matter who is on the field for that. The trade scenario is a ploy from the Moneyball movie, which was a ploy from the Moneyball book…which was a fanciful narrative that draped a story around the framework the author wished to set up once the Minnesota Twins declined to be part of his project.
At some point when does Scioscia stop being a deity in Anaheim? Been a nice run but how many incidents like this where he chases employees away have to happen – seems like a Bully – even Tito wore out his stay in Boston – winning a couple World Series don’t last forever….why is Mike’s way the only way?
Given the Angels payroll capacity….I’m not even sure it’s been a nice run….a World Series 13 years ago followed by a ramped up attempt to become a post 2000 Yankees.
Who has Mike bullied? I’ve never once heard him referred to as a bully?
Because often nowdays honest criticism is construed as bullying by people with a “I’m Special” mentality
Pardon my ignorance. When they’re talking about how he doesn’t use statistical analysis, are they referring to sabermetrics or advanced stats, such as to determine the best batting order?
There’s basically nothing good that can come out of this. If Dipoto goes, then the Angels become “Mike and Arte’s team”, and no talented GM will want to work there. (There are plenty of yes men who would rubber stamp whatever Mike wanted and cash their paycheck, though….) If Dipoto stays — probably because Arte throws money at him or something — then talk starts about Scioscia opting out at the end of the year, and players start taking sides, and nobody’s happy. If you fire Scioscia (which is highly unlikely) and give Dipoto full authority, you probably lose the clubhouse with a playoff-contending team and shoot yourself in the foot.
U-G-L-Y.
Someone would be handed the “reins” (like a horse). “Reign” is a verb.
Nice call, Santa Claus