The Search for the Next Angels Manager Heats Up

In a swift move following the conclusion of the MLB regular season, the Los Angeles Angels have set their sights on a new manager for the 2024 season, marking the fourth time in the last five years that the position has been vacated.

The decision on who will be at the helm of the Angels next year is expected to be unveiled by the end of this week, coinciding with the MLB GM meetings currently underway. Angels GM Perry Minasian is scheduled to meet with the media on Tuesday, possibly shedding light on the future of the managerial position.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the top candidates to fill the vacant managerial role for the Angels include Buck Showalter, Ron Washington, Gary DiSacina, Benji Gil, Ray Montgomery, and possibly two additional undisclosed candidates.

Amidst the speculation, former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross emerges as a potential candidate. Ross was relieved of his duties with the Cubs to make room for former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell. During his tenure with the Cubs, Ross led the team to the playoffs just once in 2020, when the season was shortened to 60 games. However, Chicago narrowly missed the playoffs this past year, finishing just one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final wild-card spot.

One possible factor that might sway the Angels away from hiring Ross is his limited postseason experience, having made the playoffs only once in his career and holding a managerial record of 264-284.

While uncertainty surrounds the upcoming managerial decision, one thing remains constant – the desire to guide Mike Trout and the Angels to the postseason. Whether or not Shohei Ohtani returns to the Angels next year, Trout’s presence on the roster is undeniable. Expect Minasian to be exceptionally aggressive during this offseason, as he enters the final year of his contract as GM. It’s a “prove-it” year for him, and the ultimate goal is to lead the organization to the playoffs.

Over his illustrious 12-year career, Trout has earned his place among the greatest baseball players of all time, but postseason success has been elusive. The only time he reached the playoffs was in 2014 when the Kansas City Royals swept the Angels, and Trout struggled, going 1-12 in that series.

Rumors have also swirled regarding former Angels players potentially taking up the managerial mantle. Names like Torii Hunter, Tim Salmon, and Darin Erstad have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill, adding more intrigue to the Angels’ search for their 2024 manager.

Key Takeaways:

• The Angels have begun the search for their 2024 manager, marking the fourth managerial change in the last five years.
• The decision on the new manager is expected to be announced by the end of the week, coinciding with the ongoing MLB GM meetings.
• Top candidates for the managerial position include Buck Showalter, Ron Washington, Gary DiSacina, Benji Gil, Ray Montgomery, and potentially two undisclosed candidates.
• Former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross is a possible contender for the role, but his limited postseason success may be a consideration.
• Regardless of the managerial choice, the Angels are determined to guide Mike Trout and the team to postseason success, with GM Perry Minasian entering a critical “prove-it” year.
• The legendary Mike Trout has only reached the playoffs once in his career, in 2014, when the Angels were swept by the Kansas City Royals.
• Speculation has also surrounded the possibility of former Angels players like Torii Hunter, Tim Salmon, and Darin Erstad taking on the managerial role.