Angels GM Billy Eppler and owner Arte Moreno both suggested today that the organization expects to retain manager Mike Scioscia for the 2017 season, with reporting via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times and Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. (Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball also reported earlier this week that Scioscia’s job was safe.) Though neither made any firm statements in either direction, the pair of key figures expressed satisfaction with Scioscia’s work in the midst of a disappointing 2016 season.
Now in his 17th year in charge of the Halos dugout, Scioscia has overseen a team that currently owns the lowest winning percentage in any of his seasons as the skipper. The team did post a winning record last year, and ran up 98 wins two years ago, so it isn’t as if there hasn’t been recent success. And Scioscia owns an overall record of 1,467 wins against 1,246 losses.
“I have no reason to believe Mike wouldn’t be here managing our team next season,” said Eppler. “I think he’s done a great job. He’s dealt with multiple plates of adversity and handled them with energy and passion. He’s kept guys optimistic, driven, and I think that’s the mark of a good leader.”
Certainly, the poor results this year have deeper-seated roots than any errors in running the ballclub on a day-to-day basis. The organization’s farm system is stagnant and the team has a lot of unproductive money on its books — though it does employ the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, under favorable contract terms. Injuries have also played a major role in 2016, sapping the Angels of several top starters.
Moreno focused on those unavailable hurlers in his assessment, noting that “it’s pretty hard to win when you have no pitching.” He still seems confident in his long-time manager, who is still under contract for two more campaigns under his massive, ten-year extension.
“I’m not going to say anything [definitive] because I haven’t sat down with Billy [Eppler] or Mike, but I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be [back],” said Moreno. “… He has a contract. My expectation is he will be here, but I haven’t sat down with him.”
The Angels owner went on to say that he still thinks the current roster core is primed for contention in the near-term. “My belief is with a few moves, we can be highly competitive,” he said. Of course, the missing arms will need to come from somewhere, and Moreno observed that “there’s really not a lot of free agent pitching” to be had this winter. Whether or not Scioscia ultimately comes back for yet another campaign, Los Angeles obviously has its work cut out in revamping the roster this winter.
Most overrated manager in MLB history.
Amazing what that title in his second year on the job has bought him. A lifetime job it seems. Championship was 14 years ago. He is decent, and deserves credit but it’s grown stale there.
I was about to post the EXACT SAME THING!
Concur.
Based on what? Provide evidence.
Since 2009 the Angels have only gone to ONE playoff series, and they got swept. All of this while having one of the most expensive payroll in MLB. Players have come, players have gone. GMs have come and gone too and only Scioscia has stayed and the franchise still has nothing to show for. Terry Francona quit after a dismal season having brought TWO World Series, Ron Washington went twice to the WS and couldn’t keep his job. Why is Scioscia still around? He is over rated
That is not evidence. That’s reaching for reasons to fire him. Scioscia didn’t sign Pujols and Hamilton. He didn’t deplete the farm system. In fact he would never do that if it were really up to him, which is one example as to why his power over Jerry Dipoto is a myth. The Angels have had one of the highest payrolls in baseball, but that still doesn’t mean squat in this game. A front office still has to allocate where that money goes properly and not blow it on access hitters they don’t need. The one consistent thing on a team level that has kept the Angels out of the playoffs has been their bullpen. The front office has failed to address their bullpen for a long time. Again, something Scioscia would never let happen if he were really the man in charge. It’s all in the numbers. With the exception of 2014, every season since even 2009 their bullpen has been their weakest link. In ’14 Dipoto finally bit the bullet and got Grilli and Street, and then suddenly the Angels went back to putting teams away en route to 98 wins and a division title. I don’t understand why it’s so hard for some to figure that part out. What I really find funny is that when Scioscia comes up as a topic, people conveniently throw out the the mistakes by the front office to discredit him. The Angels are about to have their first 90 loss season in 17 years. This is not the Royals, Tigers, and Pirates of 10 years ago. This team contends just about every season. And if Scioscia is supposed to manage the Angels to more than one playoff appearance since 2009′ the front office needs to give him the right tools he needs. There was a consistent organizational philosophy and approach that got the Angels to 6 playoff appearances in 8 years. Since then both GM’s that have come and gone have been inept at providing Scioscia and the Angels with what works for them. And on top of all of that, having a full starting rotation on the DL for significant time, having to trade away one another, having a set up man injured all season and then traded, and then having a closer that has been hurt all season and is still on the DL is a situation no team can overcome. It would be unfair to dismiss any manager under those circumstances. It’s up to the front office to build a contending team and provide their manager with the right tools. Scioscia is considered one of the best in the industry for a good reason. All the best managers have had their playoff droughts. But few managers have been able to any they’ve been in constant contention for 17 years. I think the real problem is fans over-exaggerating the situation like the Angels are the Astros of 5 years ago. Replacing Scioscia won’t solve anything. They’ll still have the same front office. And if you still haven’t figured out why he’s still around. Well, his players love playing for him, and he’s one of the best at instilling confidence in his players. That’s the real role of a major league manager. People. You fire Mike Scioscia and then you have to deal with the clubhouse. They backed him against Dipoto. And they’ll do the same until his contract expires.
I stopped reading at “he would never do that if it were up to him”. Sure, he was probably yelling at the GM and the owner at what a terrible idea it was to bring Pujols and Hamilton.
That part was referring to the way the front office depleted the farm system.
What an different cat this Ryan W Krol is…. Disagree with his opinion and insecurity comes crying out like a little kid who did not get his ice cream. Grow up! It’s okay if one has a different opinion than you. That’s what makes sports fun. Learn to enjoy it.
Is this a joke!? I guess what could one expect from arguably the worst organization in the MLB. Disappointing.
Why would Scioscia want Halos and why would Halos want Scioscia?
Well I imagine Scioscia enjoys being an MLB manager. And he might not get that chance again if he got fired from Anaheim, at least not right away. Now, as for your other question…. I mean it’s admirable what he’s done there, but I think that organization needs to start from scratch in some regards. It’s still a mess.
He’d get a new job in about 30 seconds. The Angels don’t need to start anything over. For some weird reason a lot of people are over exaggerating the Angels situation when they’ve had 15 winning seasons in the last 21 years and haven’t had a 90 loss season so far this century. Lol Gimme a break.
The memory of many people doesn’t extend past a year or two.
“With a few moves we can be highly competitive” things said before signing Hamilton, Pujols, and Wilson to ridiculous contracts
well Wilsons contract expires after this year and hamiltons after next year. And really what else do you expect him to say?
anyone saying mike should be fired is basing it off the record this year. Not much he can do with Richards and Heaney out. not to mention tropeano and the fact that lincecum and weaver pitch in our rotation. can’t blame mike…let’s wait till end of his contract to see if it’s time for a change
No, they are basing whether he should be fired over the fact that he can’t seem to manage a game at all which has been clear for quite a few years.
So losing Richards and Heaney are the reason they’re not contending in the AL West this season? Please. Their bullpen is a joke and so is the starting rotation with exception of maybe Shoemaker and even he’s been shaky at times. Weaver is not the pitcher he used to be…..he’s pretty much turned into his brother, Jeff. Richards and Heaney would have made little to no difference if they were healthy. I’m tired of hearing about how injuries cost the Angels the play-offs this season. They were never a contender coming out of spring training.
Plus trout is doing it all on his own basically, they failed to add talent around him in the line up. Escobar is perfect at the top of the line up for them. Something they needed since figgins left. I said they were a wild card team in the offseason but now they need to retool. they should target reddick , hellickson cashner in the offseason
Yes they were. There are plenty of teams that were no stronger on paper contending right now. What we think a team looks like coming out of spring training has little to do with what happens on the field. That’s why they call the stronger teams on paper the ‘safe picks’. You also seem to be forgetting that the Angels have had a full starting rotation on the DL for significant time. They’ve also lost their set up man and closer to injury, with their set up man getting dealt as soon as he was healthy. But a case can be made that the Angels would still be struggling if their rotation was healthy because there’s still the bullpen situation. The Giants starting pitching has been shaky at best all season but they’re compensation with a shut down bullpen. But at the same time, if their rotation was healthy, they would’ve had enough SP depth to make a couple of trades to fill holes elsewhere by now. So all of that being said, the Angels would’ve contended otherwise.
*if the Angels rotation was healthy.
No. We are bashing because this guy has only being able to take the Angels to ONE playoff series since 2009 despite having one of the most expensive payrolls and the best player in the game.
Shaddup that’s all that needs to be said period!!
You need to pay closer attention to the weakest parts of every Angels team that have missed the playoffs since 2009. Those missing parts are the product of the front office. No major league manager can take their team to the playoffs if the GM is in his own little world trying to make his mark instead of providing his manager with what works for his team.
In 2012 the Angels rotation was Greinke, Weaver, CJ, Haren and Santana meanwhile the champions Giants had Barry Zito and Ryan Vogelsong. Yes, Zito and Vogelsong were amazing and Haren and Santana were hurt. But you’re deluding yourself if you think no manager could have done something with that.
How hard is it for someone to look at the numbers and understand that the bullpen has been the Angels’ biggest weakness for 6 years? In 2012, the Angels were blowing leads late left and right yet Dipoto drained his deadline budget on Zack Greinke. He needed a setup man and a closer. Everyone who knows enough about the Angels should know that. The numbers are there for everyone to see.
He’s the Jeff Fisher of baseball.
Arte needs to sell the team. I know the guy wants to win a world series but he’s making very stupid decisions that have put this team in the very bad place they are today. He’s made poor choices in selecting GM’s — Reagins, DiPoto and now Eppler and he threw away money on really poor contracts to Pujols, CJ Wilson and Josh Hamilton. Mike Scioscia is not a very good manager is highly overrated. The Angels will not win another title under his leadership so them already announcing plans to have him back next season already means they don’t plan on having a contender on the field in 2017. It’s sad because they’re wasting away Mike Trout’s best years. As soon as his contract is up he’s gonna bail…..they’d be better off trading him and re-stocking their farm system at this point.
Leykis are you serious?!? Stupid decision as in signing Dipoto?? Really? How’s Seattle doing by the way? Dipoto did the best thing ever as in leaving!! Seattle will win a Championship with Dipoto before Angels will win one again!
Dipoto ran himself out of Anaheim after trying to shove his inconsistent philosophy down Scioscia’s throat. Glad he’s gone. The Mariners are doing the exact same thing the Angels did with Dipoto as their GM. They’re contending but still don’t have what they need to go over the top and win a spot. Highly unlikely the Mariners pass up the Red Sox, Orioles, and Rangers.
He ran himself out huh? Ok let’s say he did. How’s Scioscis 1950’s style of coaching working for you? Either way you look at it you need to mix in new philosophy with old and not just throw either way out the window that’s a fact! And you might be right about Seattle contending but you gotta say they are in far off better shape than Anaheim is and for the next few years!
Umm most of Major League Oh get out of here with that ‘1950’s style coaching’ nonsense. Most of MLB is using the type of game Mile Scioscia uses. Did you happen to actually watch the Royals last season? Taking the extra base, stealing, role players, defense, bullpen. All All Mike Scioscia tactics that he and the Angels were notorious for in the last decade. And now it’s the norm. There is no room for Dipoto’s station to station/batter’s box approach at the Big A. That ballpark is not designed to accommodate that kind of offense. And we don’t really know which teams are in better or worse shape for the next 3 years. Teams rise and fall every year. It’s how the game works. The front office (Dipoto included) is responsible for the albatross contracts, depleted farm system, and negligence of the bullpen. Not Mile Scioscia.
Yeah I am serious! The guy is a joke of a GM. You’re giving him far far too much credit for the success the M’s are having right now. 99.9% of the players that are on that roster are thanks to Jackie Z, who was sent packin’. The reason they’re winning right now is because of the roster he assembled, not DiPoto.
Old school….as in 1962….manager who inexplicably has the ear of the owner. Tough to be a Halos fan
Scioscia is a respected manager but the angels need a new face in that clubhouse, I would bring in bud black or matt williams.
Matt Williams???? I thought you were an Angel’s fan? Matt Williams is/was a horrible manager in every sense of the word. Terrible in-game and clueless in the clubhouse.
The front office has taken any decisions about who and what and for how much away for Scoscia! Madden did all he could in Tampa Bay under the same condition for years. He kept them competitive BUT couldn’t really win, Same happened to Dusty B till he got to Washington. When a Manager has no say about what players he gets, we’ll it’s like a little League team. “Here are your players, don’t worry about it, just get them to play better than they are!!” my question is:: why does a manager with the skills Mike has stay?? And his skills have been proven. Look at all the talent and big league managers and coaches that have learned their craft under Scoscia!!! He can’t win with no farm system, no pitching either starting or a bullpen. And no LEFT fielder. No, it’s the front office that needs to be BLOWN UP! Arte Moreno needs to steal a good baseball mind from the Yankees, or BoSox,or (I hate to say this) San Francisco. Then he needs to Let Them Run It!! His decision making has sucked for a while! So stay off Mikes’ case, he’s doing the best he can with the best player in baseball on a little League team.
It seems like Mike may be unsure whether or not he’s interested in continuing as captain of the Halos ship. When both the owner and the GM aren’t clear on the future of the manager it doesn’t bode well. Most coaches would express interest in sticking around if the idea was questioned.
If Scoiscia goes maybe McGwire will get a look?
The laughing stock of baseball is the Angels organization, funny thing is I am a braves fan. Atleast we have something to look forward to in the future. The Angels haven’t had a top prospect in their system since Newcomb and now he is gone
Keep hoarding unproven prospects it always pays off. Remember when the Braves had Harrison, Andrus, Feliz and Saltalamacchia? Look how many rings they got! Lol
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
And to think he replaced Joe Maddon
He never replaced joe madden, madden was his bench coach during their WS championship. Madden filled in for a few games when he went on hiatus. Then madden left to manage the Rays
The problems of this organization began the day Bill Stonemam and Jon Maddon left… Stonemam was for many years the force that kept the farm system, which was at one time, if it not the best … One of the best in baseball…. INTACT! Many great ball players developed in that farm system… And then the new owner and his poor decision on his is GMs and his hand on every player’s trades, contracts and hirings plus the “you can’t do no wrong” mega contract to one skipper with direct involvement in “who stays, who comes in and who goes” contributed to the demise of this organization…. As it stands today… We have no farm, no pitching staff, no bullpen, no left field and no depth…
Unfortunately, we will not be able to content any time soon with all of above plus a batting practice pitcher with a fastball that tops 82 MPHs… That’s the sad reality …. I wish I have anything positive to say besides the Trout signing ….
I would add that with bullpen being their biggest problem in the last 6 years, it hasn’t been the same since Shields and K-Rod.
And Tony Reagins was not really the problem of the ball club… Some people had a strong hand on every trade or contract he ever signed… You know who they were…. No need to mention them… Remember that Reagins was the one who brought Mike Trout to the Angels… Among other players ….