It’s not simple to manage a major league team. Since the Angels opted not to exercise the option on Phil Nevin’s contract last week, whomever takes over as manager will have their work cut out for them heading into the 2024 season.
The Angels should hire someone who can help shape the team’s future, has a proven track record in baseball, and has a strong work ethic. One former American League executive, speaking anonymously for the sake of candor, said that the job would be appealing to some people but less so to others, especially more seasoned managers.
“All the first-year guys would jump at the opportunity, no question,” the ex-executive claimed. If a veteran player has a choice, he will consider the team’s current state and future prospects as well as the demands of the front office and ownership.
“I think that’s what those guys who have managed before are going to be looking at if they have options,” he said.
Just a few things to think about are: Shohei Ohtani, a standout at both ends of the diamond, may not be back in 2024. Since 2015, the Angels have failed to finish with a winning record. The American League West presents its own unique set of difficulties with the dynastic Houston Astros, the rejuvenated Texas Rangers, and the surging Seattle Mariners. Angels general manager Perry Minasian is in the final year of his contract. Most in the business community see the organization’s farm system as inadequate.
Furthermore, team owner Arte Moreno changed his mind and put the club up for sale just a year and a few months ago, in January.
Even so, the Angels will undoubtedly evaluate a number of prospects. Here are six names that could work for the Angels if they follow the same path they did in 2019 to get manager Joe Maddon.
Showalter, Buck
Former New York Mets manager Terry Collins has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Angels manager Joe Maddon following the 2019 season. Showalter is a longtime friend of Minasian’s because Minasian served as Showalter’s staff assistant during Showalter’s time as the Rangers’ manager (2003–2006). Someone in the know who isn’t permitted to discuss the matter publicly said that the Angels are still considering Showalter for a position. Mike Puma claims that Showalter wants to keep managing and is hence open to interviews for this position. It’s unclear how much that means in terms of being a legitimate contender.
Mr. Ron Roenicke
It was reported this week in The Times that Los Angeles native and current Dodgers special assistant Dave Roberts is not really interested in returning to managing, but would consider an opportunity that would keep him in the region. Roenicke managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011 to 2015 before taking over the Boston Red Sox in 2020. However, he is familiar with the Angels’ management and ownership from his stint as a long-term coach for the team and their 2002 World Series victory. He has served the Angels in multiple coaching capacities, including third base coach (2000–2005) and bench coach (2006–2010). If the Angels were interested in hiring Roenicke as their manager, the Dodgers would have to give them permission to do so.
Gil Benji
The Times’ Jorge Castillo reported earlier this year that the Angels’ infield coach, who also led Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic in March, has indicated interest in managing a major league team. Someone familiar with the matter who is not authorized to talk publicly has confirmed that the Angels are interested in him as a prospective manager. Since Gil was a utility infielder for the Angels from 2000-2003, he is familiar with the franchise and its culture. After retiring from baseball, they hired him as their first base coach in 2022, with Joe Maddon at the helm. After firing Maddon in the middle of the 2022 season and replacing him with Nevin, their former third base coach, Gil was promoted to his current post.
Weiss, Walt
The current Atlanta Braves bench coach expressed satisfaction with his position last year. He has considered leaving Atlanta in the past when other teams have expressed interest in hiring him as manager, but he would only do so if the opportunity were particularly enticing. It would require a terrific circumstance, Weiss told The Times in 2022, because “I love where I’m at.” From 2013 until 2016, Weiss oversaw the Colorado Rockies as their manager. He’s been on the Braves’ team with Perry and his brother, Calvin Minasian. As the Angels’ new director of player personnel, Perry formerly worked as the Braves’ senior vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager. If the Angels were interested in Weiss, they would have to get permission from the Braves, who are in the midst of a postseason run, just like Roenicke.
R. W., Ron
The Braves’ third base coach has previously stated his desire to return to managing in the majors, adding that he would welcome an interview with any team that showed interest in him. Washingtоn told The Times in 2022, “Wherever [the opportunity] is, I’m gon’ build.” Players have a lot of respect for Washingtоn, who led the Rangers to two AL pennants (in 2010 and 2011). Washingtоn, like Weiss, is familiar with the Minasian family. He and Perry have worked together in the past, first with the Braves and then with the Rangers (Washingtоn’s only managerial experience). Like with Weiss, the Angels would need Weiss’s consent from the Braves before they could interview Washingtоn’s potential interest in him.
John F. a. r. e.
The Angels considered both Showalter and the ex-Red Sox manager in their 2019 managerial Һunt. It’s unclear if he wants the position with the Angels this time around, or if the Angels want him back. Previously, Farrell managed the Toronto Blue Jays (2011 and 2012) and the Boston Red Sox (2013-2017). In 2013, the Red Sox were crowned champions of baseball. Farrell knows Minasian from their time spent together between 2011 and 2016 when Minasian was the Blue Jays’ director of professional scouting. In 2019 and 2020, Farrell was a consultant in the baseball operations department for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball.