LA Angels: Three Non-Maddon Managers

A lot of rumors have been surrounding the LA Angels managerial opening since the departure of Brad Ausmus. The availability of former Cubs manager, Joe Maddon, makes it very enticing for fans to want him as manager. However, there are other candidates that may do well in filling in that role other than Maddon.

The LA Angels are in the current process of looking for a new manager, and a new voice that can lead them in the direction the front office wants the team to go. One of the options they can look at is from their own organization, Eric Chavez, who is a special assistant to general manager, Billy Eppler.

Chavez has been on board with the organization since Eppler took the reins of general manager back in 2015, so he has experience with the players from both the front office perspective and on the field. He managed some time for the Salt Lake Bees in 2018, so he has some managerial experience from the minor league view as well.

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It also gives him some familiarity with the players that are in the Angels system now. While he could still play a factor in some other type of role in the major leagues to get him more experience, don’t count him out of the managers race.

Another possible candidate to consider is Astros current bench coach, Joe Espada. Even though he is  currently in a postseason race with the Astros, he will still be looking for a promotion at the managerial spot next season. Although this pick may seem unsettling as the Astros and Angels are division rivals, the move may not be so crazy as another former Astros bench coach, Alex Cora, got the job with the Red Sox in Boston.

According to an article from the Los Angeles Times by Maria Torres, Joe Espada was a candidate last season before the position went to Ausmus. The Angels view of him could turn around to a more positive light, given he has more experience this time around.

Finally, the last possible candidate is the one that most people know from his time with the Yankees, Joe Girardi. While he has been doing some analyst work with MLB Network, there have been talks within much of social media that he is a potential candidate for many of the open manager positions, including the Angels.

Eppler has worked with Girardi before when he was the assistant general manager back when Girardi was managing the Yankees. While the two previously mentioned candidates have no experience managing in the major leagues, Girardi has plenty including a World Series championship in 2009 to add to his impressive resume. If the Angels are looking for a manger with experience already in the major leagues, Girardi could be an option instead of Joe Maddon.

Based on just these three candidates show that it’s not Maddon or bust for the Angels when it comes to hiring the right manager. The interviewing process should be extensive and looked at thoroughly, while Billy Eppler and the rest of the front office staff helping him make this decision, should carefully make the right decision that compliments the team.