New GM Minasian: Is 3rd Time The Charm, Or Is It 3 Strikes You’re Out?

No Comments November 16, 2020 Angels By John Stellman

So what the heck happened to Dave Dombrowski on the journey to his office at Anaheim Stadium?

I guess it never began because Angel owner Artie Moreno apparently failed to pick up the telephone.

Proven Winner

After all, why would you want to hire a guy with his track record?

Nine post season playoff appearances.

Four pennants.

And World Series titles with the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox.

Dombrowski was named Executive Of The Year three times while sharing the honor in 2011 with Doug Melvin.

Pretty impressive resume, wouldn’t you think?

Not Good Enough?

So why didn’t Arte make the move?

Did he have second thoughts after a couple of expensive mishaps?

Let’s see, December 8, 2011 the Angels signed lefty C.J. Wilson to a $77.5M/5 yr deal.

During his four summers in Anaheim, Wilson was a mediocre 51-35 (3.87 ERA).

Good, but not near six figures good.

But that didn’t stop Arte. One year and one week later – December 15, 2012 – Moreno corralled Josh Hamilton ($125M/5 yr).

A once promising career, intermittently interrupted by drug relapses and rehab, ended after just two seasons in Anaheim.

Major Disappointment

After hitting just 31 home runs and collecting 123 RBIs in 240 games, Hamilton and cash were shipped back to Texas for the infamous ‘player to be named later’.

So maybe Arte was a little hesitant to open up the wallet for Dombrowski.

He knew a change was imminent. And the Angels didn’t waste any time.

Moreno fired General Manager Billy Eppler on the final day of the 2020 season.

Understandable. The Angles never enjoyed a winning season during Eppler’s five year reign.

His record – 332 wins, 376 losses – was hardly an upgrade following the departure of Jerry Dipoto.

Just another Moreno mistake.

DiPoto took the baton from Tony Reagins, so let’s start there.

Hired by Moreno on October 16, 2007, Reagins replaced a nonchalant Bill Stoneman, whose free agent signings or major trades hardly registered on the Richter Scale.

Man In Motion

Quite the opposite. Reagins made an immediate impact.

On his second day behind the desk, the GM signed Tori Hunter to a $90M/5 year deal.

At the 2008 trade deadline he sent first baseman Casey Kotchman to Atlanta for Mark Texeira.

In 2009, Reagins was instrumental in the Angels drafting Mike Trout at No. 25.

I guess he outsmarted 24 other baseball geniuses.

The Angels won the American League West that year and Reagins’ contract was extended.

“There’s a comfort level from Arte Moreno and myself as far as the length of the contract goes.” Reagins said at the time.

“I am honored and I appreciate deeply the confidence that Arte has shown in not only myself, but the job that we’re doing as an organization.”

Quickie Divorce

The honeymoon was short lived.

Before the 2011 season, the two butted heads over Moreno’s infatuation with Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells.

The owner reportedly gave Reagins an ultimatum: 24 hours to acquire Wells or look for employment elsewhere.

So Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera were dispatched to Canada in what many experts considered one of the worst trades in baseball history.

Not surprising I suppose that on September 30, Reagins resigned.

Enter Dipoto, who served as Arizona’s interim GM from July l to September 22, 2010. The Diamondbacks, who had fired GM Josh Byrnes, passed over Dipoto in favor of Kevin Towers. The following October, Moreno brought Dipoto to Anaheim.

“One of the reasons we hired Jerry is that I really liked the way he viewed baseball analytics,” Arte said at the time.

Next Chapter

Ironically it was analytics, and manager Mike Scioscia’s disregard for incorporating them when making baseball decisions, that led to Dipoto’s resignation in July 1, 2015.

The next revolving door candidate was Eppler, who previously interviewed when the Angels selected Dipoto.

The assistant to Yankee GM Brian Cashman (2012-2014), Eppler was a front office candidate in San Diego and Arizona, although he never had a conversation with the D’Backs.

Despite his dismal record, credit Eppler for signing Justin Upton, Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon, and acquiring Andrelton Simmons.

So now it’s Perry Minasian’s turn.

And who is this guy anyway?

Another assistant GM (3 years) with no experience as the Top Dog!

Sound Familiar?

It’s starting to sound like a broken record?

Minasian’s career began on the ground floor as a clubhouse attendant in Texas.

He eventually was elevated to the scouting department where he worked under manager Buck Showalter.

In 2009 it was on to Toronto, where he continued to scout until Atlanta summoned the 40-year old to sit in their assistant GM’s chair in 2017.

“His background in scouting and player development along with his unique understanding of roster construction were the leading factors in our decision,” Moreno said in a statement.

“I’m beyond excited,” Minasian told Roger Lodge on the Angels KLAA flagship radio station.

“I can’t wait to get going.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to work for this organization.

“I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves and get going,” Minasian enthused.

Lets Get Started

The sooner the better. There’s plenty of work to do.

For starters, how about some starters?

“Pitching is a need.

“Pitching is going to be a priority. It’s going to be a major priority,” the GM admitted.

At the top of the list is free agent Trevor Bauer.

Bauer culminated the 2020 pandemic shortened 60-game season by hoisting the Cy Young Award.

It wasn’t even close.

The North Hollywood native was first on 27 ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America while piling up 201 votes.

Yu Darvish – remember him Dodgers fans? – was a distant second collecting 123 votes.

The 6’1, 205 pounder who turns 30 on January 17, had a masterful season, his 5-4 record notwithstanding.

Over Powering

During Cincinnati’s 31-29 summer and second place finish in the National League’s Central Division, Bauer dominated.

I don’t even know where to begin?

His ERA was a microscopic 1.73 that included two complete game shutouts.

He had a 0.795 WHIP and a 2.7 WAR.

In 73 innings, Bauer allowed 41 hits while striking out 100 batters and issuing just 17 walks.

And he only gave up a measly nine home runs.

Huge Investment

He’s not going to come cheap and there will be plenty of interested suitors.

If Arte can’t afford Bauer, there are other options.

Marcus Stroman, Joe Musgrove, Tauuan Walker and Jake Odorizzi are also looking for employers.

It’s no secret that starting pitching has long been the Angels Achilles heel, and manager Joe Maddon has stressed that he wants to add NOT ONE, BUT TWO top of the rotation starters.

Slotting Dylan Bundy, Andrew Heaney, Griffin Channing and perhaps Ohtani into the 3-6 spots could create a formidable rotation.

The bullpen could also use a boost.

Trevor Rosenthal, Liam Hendriks, Brad Hand, Mark Melancon and Alex Colome are free agents.

And in his spare time, Minasian will be searching for middle infield depth, finding right field support for Jo Adell and solidifying the catching corps.

Those who have been around this seasoned executive gush with praise.

Minasian’s Bandwagon

“I think he’ll do very well,” said Omar Minaya, Minasian’s boss in Montreal.

“He’s going to work well with the manager. He’s going to engage the manager.

“You have to also manage north. You have to report to the owner.”

Moreno is a ‘hands on’ owner. Arte relishes being in the thick of things.

“I met with Perry last week, and we were probably going to spend an hour and we ended up spending three and a half hours, talking about his experience and what we’re looking for and how the fit was,” the Angel owner said.

Showalter likes the hire.

“They had some great candidates, and they did an outstanding job. He’s a likable guy.”

We’ll see how that translates on the diamond.

“This is not a 100-loss team, Minasian concluded.

“This is not a five, seven, 10 year rebuild. This is going to be a competitive club.”

“He’s got great energy and great people skills. The Angels made a great hire,.” said Showalter.

Better than Dave Dombrowski???

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...