Angels Owner Outlines GM Criteria

Angels owner Arte Moreno told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register his decision to dismiss GM Tony Reagins was not an implusive one.  Moreno says the decision came about because "our baseball people made some decisions that did not work out on the baseball field," but suggesting that the January acquisition of Vernon Wells was the final straw for Reagins is "a complete overstatement."

Moreno, team president John Carpino, chairman Dennis Kuhl, former GM Bill Stoneman, and manager Mike Scioscia are currently putting a list together of GM candidates.  They have not contacted any teams for permission to interview anyone.  The criteria for the next Angels GM, according to Moreno:

• The person does not necessarily need prior experience as a GM.  Plunkett does not expect the Angels to go after an established GM.
• Moreno said, "I think you want a good baseball man – or I should say baseball person because there are some qualified women out there – because you want to be able to evaluate talent."  This statement doesn't tell us much, in my opinion.
• "You also want him to be able to manage a (minor-league) system, so you have to look at someone who can evaluate how we're drafting and developing players," says Moreno. 
• The Angels' owner also seeks someone with "good communication skills."  Plunkett notes that Moreno has had positive words for the analytical abilities of a couple of the remaining Angels front office members, so maybe that's something Moreno is also after.
• Scioscia is seen as having more power than the average manager, but Moreno says he "has a voice but he's not making the call."   
• Click here for MLBTR's list of GM candidates.