Los Angeles Angels Exercise 2015 Option on Jerry Dipoto

With the best record in the majors in 2014, the Los Angeles Angels exercised their 2015 option to retain general manager Jerry Dipoto on Friday.

Dipoto, 46, became the club’s GM on October 29, 2011, and has made a ton of key moves for the Halos. He’s signed Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, Josh Hamilton, Joe Blanton, and Sean Burnett. Dipoto has also made trades for Zack Greinke, Jason Vargas, Tommy Hanson, David Freese, Jason Grilli, and Huston Street. These deals, however, have yet to translate into a postseason berth.

The Angels’ inability to qualify for October baseball, for the past four seasons, has led to some debate over whether or not Dipoto would remain with the organization’s front office beyond 2014. There was even tension between Dipoto and manager Mike Scioscia, leading to speculation that either or both might not return to the Halos in 2015. But with the best record in baseball, things are looking much better.

The icing on the cake could easily be the way that Dipoto saw the error of his ways regarding his apparent ‘don’t spend money on your bullpen’ approach, and compromising with Scioscia on what the Angels need to be a winner. Throughout the 2014 season, Dipoto has made a lot of smaller depth moves, and has resurrected the Halos’ bullpen into the strength that it once was.

And if the Angels make it to the playoffs this season (and challenge for a World Series title), Dipoto will even have a good case to have his 2016 option exercised as well.

This move was made around the All-Star break; however, Dipoto did not make it public.

Wheeling and Dealing

• The Cleveland Indians claimed outfielder J.B. Shuck off waivers from the Angels for cash considerations. The Halos designated Shuck for assignment three days ago. He had a .272/.316/.344 slash line in 658 career PA with the Angels and Astros.
• Right-hander Michael Kohn was designated for assignment on the same day Shuck was DFA’d. He is likely to clear waivers.
• Not making a move has stirred some debate over whether or not the Angels can sustain their 5 game lead over the Oakland A’s, and if they can get deep into the playoffs with their current rotation.
• The Angels called up 11 players when rosters expanded on September 1, prompting a lot of debate over whether or not MLB should do away with roster expansion.

On The Mend

• Lefty reliever Joe Thatcher is beginning a rehab assignment sometime this weekend, or Monday, and will join the Double-A Arkansas Travelers who are in the playoffs.
• Hamilton left Thursday night’s game in Minnesota with a sore right shoulder. He’s day-to-day, and could’ve played Friday night. But he opted to rest to be sure he is ready to go for the stretch run.

Facts and Figures

• Pujols made headlines this week when he answered his critics with the declaration that he can not only be productive enough to play as long as he can, but will retire if the game is no longer fun for him to play. That means no platooning. No power bat off the bench. It means retirement. In his own words, he reminded people that his career speaks for itself.
• The 29 inning scoreless streak was the third longest for Angels pitching in their history, and was the third longest streak for A’s hitters in their history.
• Using 8 pitchers in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Oakland set a franchise record for most pitchers appearing in one game for the Halos.
• Since acquiring Grilli and Street, the Halos have lowered their bullpen ERA an entire run.
• On Sunday vs. the A’s, Mike Trout hit his career high 31st home run.
• And then last night, in Minnesota, Trout reached 100 RBI for the first time in his career.
• Trout is the youngest Angel to reach 100 RBI.
• Trout is likely to win the 2014 American League MVP.
• With an RBI sac fly against the Twins on Friday night, shortstop Erick Aybar set his own career high in RBI’s with 60.
• The club’s sweep of the A’s over the weekend was their first 4 game sweep over Oakland since 1997.
• The Angels are 14-6 in their last 20.
• Since May 9, the last time the team was at .500, the Halos are 68-38. That’s approximately an 110-win pace!