When former general manager Jerry Dipoto left the club in the middle of the summer over an apparent lack of compatibility with manager Mike Scioscia, it became apparent that the Angels could have a unique GM search on their hands. The team has been increasingly active recently and is said to be hopeful of making a decision within a few weeks’ time.
Here’s the latest on the Angels’ search for a new leader of their baseball operations department, with updates on the preliminary interview process added as information is reported:
- Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava interviewed for the Angels’ GM vacancy today, reports Buster Olney of ESPN (via Twitter). LaCava has been an AGM with Toronto since 2007 and also currently holds the title vice president of baseball operations. He’s been strongly considered for GM openings in the past, and he even (reportedly) turned down an offer to become the Orioles’ GM back in 2011.
Earlier Updates
- Red Sox AGM Mike Hazen will interview with the Angels as soon as today, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports on Twitter. Hazen has long been considered likely to head up a baseball ops department at some point. His name has also come up with regard to Boston’s own internal GM opening.
- Angels pro scouting director Hal Morris has also been given an interview for the post, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports on Twitter. He joins Klentak and Servais as internal candidates who have reportedly been given a chance to sit down with the top-level brass.
- The Angels interviewed Indians VP of player personnel Ross Atkins today, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports on Twitter. Atkins has been in the Cleveland organization for quite some time, and has occupied his current post since a promotion last year. Indians AGM Mike Chernoff has received more press as a possible GM hire, though he also seems to be an internal promotion candidate if current Cleveland GM Chris Antonetti takes the vacated president’s role. Antonetti has previously noted that Atkins holds the promise of a future general manager.
- We learned yesterday that Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler had his interview with the Halos, as had been widely expected. Eppler has been tabbed by some as the leading candidate, and is reportedly interested in the position — despite any possible limitations of authority owing to the presence of Scioscia — due in part to his ties to Southern California.
- Los Angeles is said also to have conducted interviews with its own assistant general managers, Matt Klentak and Scott Servais.
Do you guys think the hacking scandal has made STL personnel too toxic to be considered for open GM jobs right now? After the success that Luhnow’s had in HOU, I keep expecting Mike Girsch’s name to pop up in these GM talks, but haven’t seen it.
All this GM noise makes it seem they’re throwing in the towel, but they’re only 4 games out of the Wild Card and 4.5 out of 1st place…
If what the Angels want is a well paid “Yes”man, they should sign the first candidate that knocks on their door because to say yes to Moreno, Carpino or Scioscia there is no need for prior GM experience.
Ruben Amaro would fit right in there in Angels Job, Yes Man with no Power !
So, is Mike Soscia involved with the interview process?
Report said he wouldn’t be involved, but we all really know he will.
Mike Scoscia is a great manager with a winning record. Any man would be lucky to get a job as GM with the Angels organization. Jerry Dipoto blew it. He’s no hero, just a punk who ran out on his team. I hope nobody hires this guy for any high level position in baseball; he doesn’t deserve it.