Angels skipper Mike Scioscia has played his intentions surrounding the opt-out clause in his contract close to the vest, but he announced today at the press conference to introduce new GM Billy Eppler that he will not exercise his out clause and will return to the Angels’ dugout in 2016 (Twitter link via the Orange County Register’s Pedro Moura).
Scioscia, the game’s longest-tenured manager, has been at his current post since 2000. The 56-year-old previously signed a 10-year, $50MM extension that covers the 2009-18 seasons, meaning he has three years and $15MM to go on his current deal. As recently as last night, Scioscia publicly refused comment on the possibility of an opt out.
As Angels manager, Scioscia has compiled a 1416-1176 record and captured one American League Championship and one World Series (2002). The Halos also have six American League West Division Championships under his watch, not including that historic 2002 season, when they entered the postseason as a Wild Card club.
Scioscia has seen his name in headlines often this season, as a dispute between him and Jerry Dipoto was ultimately said to be the final straw that pushed Dipoto to resign as the team’s GM. (Dipoto has since been hired as the new general manager of the division-rival Mariners.) Asked about any possible concerns working with Scioscia because of that rift, Eppler said the matter is a “non-issue, probably because of where I worked,” referring to his time with the Yankees (quote via MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez, on Twitter).
There goes the very, very premature Scioscia to the Dodgers rumors.
That would be a terrible move on the Dodgers part anyway.
Many would argue that retaining Donnie would be a worse move.
According to Cot’s his salary in the next 3 years is at 6 million/year.
Glad he will be back. Good manager.
LOL!!! Mike always has to be the man. Couldn’t let everyone know on a different day. Take some of Eppler’s spotlight, eh? Or maybe just reinforcing the “we’re one team, one fight” concept.
Mike Sausage has been a horrible manager for 3 years now. As an Angel fan I was hoping he would opt out and take the worst pitching coach (Butcher) in baseball with him. Oh well, another season of horrible lineups, horrible substitutions and mismanaging the pitching staff. Yay Angels!
It all goes back to Dipoto taking away the ‘Angels Baseball’ philosophy and trying to be another Billy Beane and making his mark and just being a GM and actually getting Mike Scioscia what he needs to win. That was the problem.
As a ranger fan, “woo hoo!” With Mikey tilting the halo’s, one less team to worry about in the division.
Dipoto is the one who ’tilted’ the Angels. Look at their roster construction.
Dipoto is the one who ’tilted the Angels. Look at their roster construction.
Dipoto’s hands were tied with Artie wanting to sign Pujols Hamilton and Wilson. Leaving Dipoto with little money to work with and having to trade players and let players go to accommodate the players Artie wanted the Angels to sign.