OC Register: Three Royals executives among those up for Angels’ GM spot

[AngelsWin.com]

Three members of the Kansas City Royals front office are confirmed to be on the list of candidates the Angels have interviewed for their general manager position, bringing the confirmed list to 14 names.

Royals assistant general managers J.J. Picollo and Scott Sharp, and Gene Watson, assistant to the general manager, are all on the list of preliminary interviews, a source confirmed on Sunday, Nov. 1.

It is likely they have interviewed, or plan to interview, candidates beyond the 14 confirmed so far. The Angels are expected to cut down the list later this month and hire someone to lead their baseball operations department before Thanksgiving.

Picollo has worked in the Royals front office since 2006, including starting as assistant GM just before their World Series-winning season in 2015. He spent six seasons previously with the Atlanta Braves. Picollo has been a candidate for GM jobs in the past, including with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sharp has been with the Royals for 14 years, the last three as an assistant GM. He previously worked mostly in player development with the Royals. Sharp was a candidate for GM openings with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets two years ago.

Watson just finished his 14th season with the Royals, running their pro scouting department over the past three. He has spent almost his entire career in pro scouting, including stints with three other organizations before the Royals. Watson was a candidate for the Houston Astros GM opening after Jeff Luhnow was fired earlier this year.

The list of confirmed candidates includes two who have held the top spots in baseball operations departments: former Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill and former Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

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Former Marlins GM Dan Jennings and former Giants GM Bobby Evans both served under presidents of baseball operations.

The Angels have interviewed seven who are current assistant general managers: Matt Arnold (Milwaukee Brewers), Justin Hollander (Seattle Mariners), Billy Owens (Oakland A’s), Picollo, Jared Porter (Arizona Diamondbacks), Amiel Sawdaye (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Sharp.

Cubs vice president of player personnel Jason McLeod, Padres senior advisor to the GM Logan White and Watson are the other three candidates.

 

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