The Los Angeles Angels’ 2015 season came to an end Sunday when they lost to the Texas Rangers, and they immediately turned their attention to the future in the aftermath.
The first order of business for the offseason is to establish a new general manager, and late Sunday the team named Billy Eppler to the vacant position.
The position is open because Jerry Dipoto stepped down in July and was recently named the general manager of the Seattle Mariners. Buster Olney of ESPN suggested the Angels have had their eyes on Eppler for some time:
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports said the team potentially delayed the announcement of Eppler as the new general manager because of the chance it could have faced the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game. Eppler was New York’s assistant general manager.
The Yankees hired Eppler in 2004, when he was a scout for the Colorado Rockies. He worked his way up the organizational ranks and became the assistant general manager following the 2011 campaign, although he interviewed for the Angels’ position in 2011 before it was given to Dipoto.
Charlie Wilmoth of MLBTradeRumors.com discussed what lies ahead for the new man in charge in Los Angeles:
Eppler will inherit a situation in Los Angeles that is in some ways envious and some ways not. Tension between Dipoto and manager Mike Scioscia led to Dipoto’s departure, and the fact that Scioscia remained while Dipoto left suggests that Eppler will have to find a way to work with Scioscia, regardless of any differences that might arise. Owner Arte Moreno has a reputation for being heavily involved with baseball decisions. Also, the Angels don’t have a particularly strong farm system.
On the other hand, the Angels won 85 games this season and have a relatively strong talent base led by one of the one or two best players in baseball in Mike Trout. That’s a rare starting point for an incoming GM. Eppler will also have access to a big budget, as Moreno has rarely been shy about spending on top-tier free agents.
The ability to spend on top-notch talent is critical for a team like the Angels, which narrowly missed the playoffs this season and could be a piece or two away from championship contention. However, the farm system could take on more importance for Eppler as he settles into his new position.
Baseball America's John Manuel ranked the Angels farm system as only the 28th-best in baseball coming into the season.
While adding a marquee name or two from a free-agent class that will likely include All-Stars such as David Price, Johnny Cueto and others would be critical for Los Angeles’ immediate World Series chances, the farm-system ranking is alarming.
Eppler’s ability to bring in promising young players and replenish the entire organization from top to bottom could define his tenure.
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