Surprising Candidates Emerging For Los Angeles Angels Managerial Opening

After firing Phil Nevin, the Los Angeles Angels are reportedly turning to some surprising candidates as they look for their next manager.

The Los Angeles Angels are in the market for a new manager after letting go of Phil Nevin and some surprising candidates are reportedly in the mix to replace him.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

Torii Hunter, the five-time All Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner, has emerged as a candidate to fill the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial vacancy. Hunter spent five years playing for the Angels and is tremendously regarded by owner Arte Moreno for his leadership and baseball acumen.

The Angels also have discussed other former players such as Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon.

Former Red Sox and Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, a long-time Angels coach under Mike Scioscia, along with Angels coach Benji Gil and former Mets manager Buck Showalter may also get formal interviews. 

Those are certainly some surprising names. Hunter played 19 years in the majors, including five with the Angels, but he hasn't done any coaching at the professional level since he retired after the 2015 season.

In today's game, most people see the manager as simply making the lineup card that the front office wants them to make, so maybe experience isn't as important to the Angels. Perhaps bringing in a big name that resonates with fans would help keep fan interest in a team that may lose Shohei Ohtani this offseason.

As for Erstad, he does having coaching experience, although not at the pro level. He spent eight years coaching the University of Nebraska and got to the NCAA Tournament four times.

Salmon has spent some time coaching high school baseball Scottsdale (AZ) Christian Academy and has been around the Angels organization. He last played in 2006.

Roenicke is certainly experienced, having spent six years as a big league manager with the Brewers and Red Sox. He is 342-331 in his career. He last managed the Red Sox during the pandemic season, going 24-36.

Gil was the manager of Team Mexico at the World Baseball Classic.

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