Angels Rumors: Sources Link Recently Dismissed Manager to Halos Job Opening

Would Showalter be a solid move?

A rather significant offseason sits in front of both Arte Moreno and Perry Minasian. 

The Angels are clearly stuck between a rock and a hard place -- trying to figure out essentially the direction of this franchise moving forward. Will the Halos go all-in on trying to salvage the Shohei Ohtani-Mike Trout duo, while building as good of a team around them in the short term as possible? 

Or, will we see the start of a rebuild -- where Ohtani walks out the door and Trout perhaps becomes the most attractive name on the trade market? 

Based upon a recent report from respected pundit Jon Morosi, it appears as if the Angels might be operating in the former. 

Sources: Buck Showalter is a candidate for the Angels managerial opening.

Perry Minasian and Showalter have a longstanding connection from their time with the Texas Rangers. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 24, 2023

According to a tweet from Morosi, veteran manager Buck Showalter is said to be a candidate for the vacancy in Anaheim. As also penned in the tweet, Morosi connects the preexisting relationship between Showalter and current General Manager Perry Minasian. Both Showalter and Minasian were together with the Texas Rangers from 2003-06. 

It's not a complete shock to see the Angels seeking a manager with some experience. Former manager Phil Nevin saw his 2024 option declined after going 73-89 this past season. 

Showalter, 67, first started managing back in 1992 with the New York Yankees. In total, he's been a manager for five clubs (Yankees, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Orioles, Mets) over 22 years -- accruing a lifetime record of 1,727-1,665 (.509 win percentage). This includes six postseason appearances.

On @TMKSESPN, Buster Olney said:

“I don’t think [that Buck Showalter has a shot to be #Angels manager].”

“I don’t know if [Perry] is the one who’s gonna make the decision here.”

“I think if it was up to Perry, Buck would’ve already been announced.”https://t.co/c85XXOMVnP

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) October 23, 2023

He most recently was let go from the Mets after a very underachieving year which saw New York go 75-87 (a year after going 101-61 with a gigantic payroll and even higher expectations). 

Some may question whether the game has passed Showalter by. He is by all accounts a bit of an 'old school' skipper. 

With that said the Angels desperately need some sense of stability. They're attempting to hire their fourth manager (Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Nevin) in six years.