LA Angels: Gene Watson’s winning history added to new-look front office

The Angels continue to overhaul their front office in the post-Eppler era, now adding the decorated Gene Watson to the mix.

Many Halos fans had their gripes with the former general manager of the Angels, Billy Eppler. The team wasted years of Mike Trout’s prime by not making the necessary moves to get themselves into contention. We can only hope that the Angels will be set in the right direction under new general manager Perry Minasian and early indications show that the Halos might be.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Angels will be adding a key new member to their front office to work alongside Perry Minasian. That man is Gene Watson, someone who was worked as a scouting director with the Kansas City Royals and has won rings with the Miami Marlins along with the Royals while being in their respective front offices.

Watson was interviewed extensively by the Angels for their general manager vacancy before ownership ultimately decided to go with Perry Minasian for the spot. Watson is a fantastic man to bring into the front office considering his extensive experience and winning history. He also represents a much-needed addition to the front office after former assistant general managers Jonathan Strangio and Steve Martone left the team.

This is a very pivotal offseason for the Angels and it is important that they have the right people in place to succeed during it. The Winter Meetings are the time where champions are made and while the Angels might be a ways out of true contention, they are not as far away from it as you might think. When you have a core as strong as the Angels do, anything is possible.

The Angels have a lot of work to do to continue their overhaul of the pitching staff this winter and Gene Watson, given his experience in pro scouting, could have a huge impact on it. Let’s hope and pray the Angels can pull the right strings to get right back into October baseball.