Angels to name Billy Eppler GM

The Los Angeles Angels will name former Yankees assistant general manager Billy Eppler general manager tomorrow, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday evening. 

The Angels have been in pursuit of a general manager since Jerry Dipoto resigned from his post on July 1, 2015. The resignation followed a long-term tension between him and manager Mike Scioscia on the usage of in-game analytics.

Los Angeles replaced Dipoto with Bill Stoneman, who they named interim general manager. Stoneman had to work with a team in contention and attempted to provide the pieces they needed to make a postseason run. 

The Angels were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday in a 9-2 loss to the Rangers. They finished the season with an 85-77 record and third in the American League West division. 

Eppler has been mentioned as a possible candidate for many GM openings, including the Seattle Mariners' recent opening, which has since been filled by Dipoto. 

The 40-year-old Eppler was thought of by many around the game as a future general manager. In fact, Eppler interviewed for the Angels' GM job back in 2011, where he was named one of the finalists. The job ultimately went to Dipoto. Eppler has been working in the front office side baseball since 2000. He is generally considered to be "well-versed" in the statistics and analytics of the game. 

Eppler and Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes were considered to be the finalists for the position.

​--Devan Fink

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