The Seattle Mariners announced the hiring of Angels assistant general manager Scott Servais to be their manager. Mike DiGiovana of the Los Angeles Times first reported the move.
Seattle did not announce any further changes to the coaching staff, however, the Times reported that Angels special assistant Tim Bogar is expected to be named bench coach. Servais and Bogar, coming from the Angels, already have an existing connection with general manager Jerry Dipoto (who is the former Angels GM himself). "Through the course of the 20-plus years I've known Scott, I've come to see him as one of the most complete, well balanced and inclusive baseball people in the industry," Dipoto said in a press release. "I've been fortunate enough to call him a teammate as a player, while also having worked closely with him as an organizational leader in both Colorado and Los Angeles. He is a communicator with strong baseball acumen and leadership skills. I truly believe his strong character and career experiences as a player, coach and executive have prepared him for this opportunity." Servais played in the Major Leagues for 11 seasons, but has never coached or managed professionally. The 48-year-old Servais has been an Angels assistant GM since 2011 and interviewed to become the full-time GM earlier this year. He was passed up for the now-Angels GM Billy Eppler. "I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to manage the Seattle Mariners," Servais said in the press release. "It has long been my goal to manage a big league team and while I took a slightly different path than many, I am confident in my ability to lead. We have a terrific core of players and I'm looking forward to bringing in a coaching staff that will help me establish a winning culture here as we work toward putting a championship-caliber team on the field for the fans of the Northwest." Servais replaces Lloyd McClendon, who was fired from his post after Dipoto was given his position. He becomes the 17th manager in Mariners history and will attempt to lead the team to their first postseason appearance since 2001. --Devan Fink
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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
The Philadelphia Phillies appear motivated to move second baseman Chase Utley before the August 31 waiver trade deadline. Many rumors have circulated as to which teams are interested in trading for him. Here is the latest regarding Utley.
According to multiple reports, the Cubs, Angels, Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers have been mentioned as the likeliest destinations for Utley. The Astros are also receiving "credible buzz" about being in on him, as Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported this evening. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that executives involved in discussions for Utley believe that he will choose to go to either the Cubs or the Angels. Utley has 10-and-5 no-trade rights, meaning that because he has spent at least 10 years in the Major Leagues and at least five with the same team (Philadelphia), he can block a trade to any team. Therefore, the Phillies and Utley must come to a consensus as to where he will go before he is ultimately dealt. Utley has drawn appeal from more teams than just those in need for a second baseman. The Astros, for instance, are definitely fine out at second, but could use an upgrade out at first base. Utley can play first or possibly designated hitter, which has allowed more clubs to come into play for trade discussion. The 36-year-old Utley is signed just through this season, but has a vesting option for 2016 if he reaches 500 plate appearances this year (which is pretty much guaranteed not to vest due to disabled list time). On the season, Utley is hitting .208/.276/.313 in 272 plate appearances. Since coming off the disabled list on August 7, he's hitting .500/.478/.682 in six games. --Devan Fink
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired two outfielders on Tuesday, acquiring David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians and David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported (two links).
Going to the Indians for Murphy is Double-A shortstop Eric Stamets and going to the Rays for DeJesus is Rookie right-hander Eduar Lopez. Both deals, while separate deals, do make sense for the Angels as they have been in need of outfielders. Though they acquired Shane Victorino yesterday, the Angels still needed outfield help after a disastrous start from Matthew Joyce this year in left. Three outfielders is a lot, but depth is important for any team, and Mike Trout is currently injured pending an MRI. On the season, Murphy is batting .296/.344/.437 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 229 plate appearances. This season, against right-handers, he's been playing pretty well, with a .785 OPS in 212 PA. He hasn't had much experience against southpaws. DeJesus, on the other hand, is hitting .259/.323/.375 with five homers and 26 RBIs in 257 plate appearances. His spits are similar to Murphy's, posting a .715 OPS against righties and a .236 OPS against southpaws. --Devan Fink
The Los Angeles Angels have acquired outfielder Shane Victorino and cash from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge, it was announced on Monday.
The Angels have been needing outfield help, as left fielder Matt Joyce has been struggling mightily this season, working to a .178/.224/.298 line over 278 plate appearances this season. It's been no secret that the team has needed an upgrade there. Victorino will fill that bill, as he leaves the outfield carousel that was the Red Sox' outfield. He has only played in 33 games this season partly due to injury, accumulating just 106 plate appearances, slashing a .245/.324/.298 line. The 34-year-old Hawaii native still has some speed, but it's not like it was when he was in his prime. This season he has successfully stolen all five bases he attempted and has yet to hit for a triple. His name has appeared in trade talk over the past few weeks and should get the opportunity to start in Los Angeles if they do not acquire a better option within the next week. If that does become the case, Victorino will be a solid fourth outfield option. --Devan Fink |
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