OC Register: Angels casting wide net in search for new manager

[AngelsWin.com]

At least 10 candidates will be interviewed for the Angels managerial opening, with the initial interviews still ongoing.

General Manager Billy Eppler said Thursday night the Angels have completed eight interviews, with at least two left to go. They might still add more.

Presumably, there will be at least one more round of interviews, although Eppler would not elaborate on the details of the process, including confirming any specific candidates.

It’s unclear when the Angels would name a new manager, but the sheer volume of candidates makes it seem unlikely they’d select one before the end of the World Series.

So far the only known candidate is Joe Espada, the Houston Astros’ bench coach. It is not clear if Espada is one of those who has already interviewed or one of the two remaining. Although the Astros are still playing, teams in the playoffs sometimes allow their staff members to do interviews around their postseason responsibilities. The Astros are set to open the American League Championship Series on Saturday in Boston.

Beyond Espada, the internal candidates expected to be interviewed included Brad Ausmus and Eric Chavez, both special assistants to Eppler; third base coach Dino Ebel and bench coach Josh Paul.

The Angels are hiring their first new manager since 1999, when Mike Scioscia was hired. Scioscia announced after the Angels’ final game, after he’d completed his 10-year contract, that he would not be returning.

“What we’re looking for in that next manager is connectivity with the players,” Eppler said earlier this month. “We’re are looking at somebody who can think with a probability-based mindset. We are looking for someone who is eager to grow. Someone who can develop a culture that puts the welfare of the team ahead of any singular person. Those are the criteria.”

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