Should Mike Scioscia Return As Angel Manager Next Season???

No Comments August 22, 2016 Angels By John Stellman

On August 19, Arte Moreno stepped up to the plate.

The Angel owner took a MIGHTY SWING at those who have criticized the ability of his manager.

In an interview with the Southern California News Group, his first since spring training, Moreno addressed the status of Mike Scioscia.

Will Scioscia Be Back?

The owner says he expects the manager to return for his 18th year at the helm in 2017.

There is however, a mixed bag of emotions within the fan base.

Some diehards feel there needs to be a “new” voice in the clubhouse.

Scioscia however, has created a strong fundamental foundation on how he wants the game to be played.

His sound methodology is taught from the bottom to the top. From Orem in the Rookie League to Anaheim in the American League and all stops in between.

No Guess Work

Anyone who is invited to spring training from any level within the organization will know exactly what to expect.

No surprises in Tempe. No surprises anywhere.

So is it surprising that today the Angels are in last place in the American League West? That they’ve won just 52 games but lost 72 and trail division leading Texas by 20 1/2 games?

What’s surprising is that some have put the Angels collapse squarely on Scioscia’s shoulders.

But how much of their demise is his responsibility?

Vote Of Confidence

Not much if you listen to the owner.

“It’s pretty hard to win when you have no pitching,” Moreno asserted.

The owner is right. I don’t think that any team who lost their top two starters could be expected to contend.

Garrett Richards started just six games this year. And he only pitched 34 2/3 innings.

Over the past two summers, the 28-year old right hander started 58 games and compiled an impressive record of 28-16.

Andrew Heaney pitched six innings in his only start this season.

Last year, Heaney’s 18 starts included a 6-4 record and an earned run average of 3.49.

Plethora Of Injuries

They weren’t the only casualties.

An injured C. J. Wilson didn’t survive the spring and hasn’t pitched an inning this season.

Tim Lincecum (2-6, 9.16) couldn’t recapture his Cy Young magic.

Jhoulys Chacin (3-6, 5.68) and Ricky Nolasco (0-3, 5.70) were prayers unanswered.

The gritty Jered Weaver (8-11, 5.47) is all heart and moxie but he is still missing his once dominate fast ball.

Weaver To Return?

If Weaver’s pride doesn’t get in the way of a significant salary cut, Moreno says the 33-year old right hander could be a part of the 2017 rotation.

Other candidates include Matt Shoemaker, who has pitched much better than his numbers (7-13, 4.14) indicate, and Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 5.19) who is coming off Tommy John surgery.

Richards, who has under gone stem cell therapy in hopes of avoiding surgery, might be ready next spring.

Heaney however, will miss all of next season as will Nick Tropeano (3-2, 3.56)

“There’s really not a lot of free agent pitching.” the owner admitted, tossing out the names of Doug Fister (12-8, 3.59), Andrew Cashner (4-9, 4.92) and Scott Kazmir (12-8, 4.59).

“I don’t care who you put on the coaching staff. If you don’t have any pitching, it’s pretty hard to win,” the owner surmised.

Successful Skipper

Scioscia is a winner.

Despite this summer’s disaster, the longest tenured manager in the major leagues has produced 12 winning seasons in his 17 years.

In his first season in the dugout Scioscia, now 57, turned a club that was 70-92 the year before, into a respectable 82-80.

Despite finishing four games behind Oakland in the West in 2002, the Angels (99-63) only World Series banner can be seen flying proudly above Anaheim Stadium.

Between 2004 and 2009, Scioscia’s teams were crowned American League West champions five times.

Unfortunately, today’s world has a “what have you done for me lately” mentality.

So the Angels need to win 16 of their final 38 games (19 home 19 away) to avoid matching the record 95 losses they compiled in 1968 and 1980.

Twenty five of those games are within the division: Texas (6), Seattle (6), Houston (7) and Oakland (6).

Just Like Tempe

Yet when September rolls around, expect Scioscia to have one eye on next season while conducting pre-spring training auditions.

His chance to take a long hard look at the entire 40 man roster.

But will the manager still be here in 2017?

“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).

Mike has won a world championship…He has a contract. My expectation is he will be here, but I haven’t sat down with him,” Moreno said.

Eppler On Board

For what it’s worth, the manager also has the general manager’s endorsement, something he wouldn’t have had last summer.

“I think he’s done a great job. He’s dealt with multiple plates full of adversity and handled them with energy, passion.

He’s kept the guys who have stayed healthy all year optimistic, driven. I think that’s a sign of a good leader,” Eppler concluded.

But will Scioscia lead a team that can contend in the American League West?

Contenders?

Moreno thinks so.

“My belief is with a few moves we can be highly competitive,” the owner said.

It won’t be easy. This winter’s free agent crop is, unfortunately, extremely thin.

Potential impact sluggers include Mark Trumbo (remember him?) (38 HR, 92 RBI, .256 BA), Edwin Encarnacion (35, 101, .268), Jose Bautista (15, 48, .222) and perhaps Yoenis Cespedes (25, 64, .293).

“There’s not a lot of left fielders. And obviously the left fielders everyone thought we should buy…have had rough years,” Moreno pointed out.

Over Paid

In case you have forgotten last year’s class, does Jason Heyward (6 HR, 34 RBI, .225 BA), Justin Upton (15, 52, .231) or Alex Gordon (13, 26, .225) ring a bell? Needless to say, they have all under performed.

So here we are again, still trying to fill the void left by the Josh Hamilton train wreck.

Last season it was Matt Joyce, David Murphy, David DeJesus or whoever else they threw out there.

And a year later, the Angels still have no answers.

But at least Moreno does have a couple of bucks to spend.

Wilson’s Gone

Wilson’s contract expires.

And if he can give Scioscia a few good men, the manager will take care of the rest.

Mike Scioscia is a good baseball man.

He deserves to be back.

And by the sounds of all the chatter emanating from the front office, the verdict appears unanimous.

So I guess MY VOTE doesn’t matter!

About
Latest Posts

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...