The Angels announced Matt Klentak was hired as an assistant GM, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. ESPN's Keith Law first reported the likely move. Klentak served as director of baseball operations for the Orioles since 2008. Klentak was named one of our top 20 GM candidates in August, and you can read Ben Nicholson-Smith's interview with him here. The Halos hired the first person on our list, Jerry Dipoto, as their new GM in October.
beng
Great, Dipoto stabs us (O’s fans) twice.
Diablo 2
Alright so the front office is getting settled and looking good. Now time for those guys to get something done.
SakataCatching
From one meddlesome owner/control freak manager to another. Best of luck to you, Matt.
Joe Wright
SIGN PRINCE FIELDER! MORALES IS DAMAGED GOODS! c’MOM ARTE MAKE IT UP TO US FOR GETTING VERNON FREAKING WELLS!! WELLS IS DISLIKED BY 90% OF ANGELS FANS.
NathanielS
IGNORE THIS MAN.
vtadave
Yeah the 90% was a ridiculous number. Should be 100%.
Joe Wright
When Morales doesnt come back, and the Angels continue to lose games due to the fact that they have NO OFFENSE!! You’ll eat those words. Go back to Halo hEaven and talk numbers like all the other dorks. If you had to choose between Trumbo and Fielder I bet you’d choose Trumbo. (money aside) All you homers are the same. You all LOVE mediocrity.
Rabbitov
You are a strange, strange person.
Lefty
You got me to laugh, so I gave you a like.
Plus, I want to make up for the fact I made you sigh earlier.
OrangeCards
We had a bright mind in our front office?
AlKelz
Yes , he was smart enough to escape 😉
danistheguy
Balls.
5_tool_MiLB_fool
ok…
Jameson VanDyke
Looks like we are set up to be a smart baseball organization for years to come. Don’t look for them to make much major league impact moves this year but rebuilding the depleted farm system.
Lefty
Good Riddance to Klentak! He was a MacPhail hire and I am glad he’s going with Dipoto!
Now, if we just could get rid of the rest of the Front Office, maybe the Orioles can start fresh for once. I haven’t been to thrilled with Duquette’s moves so far to say the least, but I hope he hires some good baseball people once the front office is fumigated!
Rabbitov
I know it seems like every single person in the front office is completely and utterly incompetent, but Klentak is incredibly well-respected because he works hard, has a great attitude, and is a smart baseball guy. At some point you are going to have to distinguish who is really worth bashing in the organization, rather than everyone. We are all frustrated.
bigbarn17
I’m with you on this one. I honestly have no clue what Klentak did while he was here but when other clubs want your people you probably want to hold on them for a while. At least thats how most businesses run.
Lefty
See… that’s exactly how I felt about Klentak… what you just said
I honestly have no clue what Klentak did while he was here. From free agent signings, trades, marketing ideas, coaching suggestions and so on. Heck, I don’t think most Orioles fans knew who he was unless they attended Spring Training and bought a media guide.
bigbarn17
Trust me I can see where you’re coming from. This organization needs a major make over.
Rabbitov
Because you don’t know him I don’t think its fair to bash him. Its fair to bash the Stockstill’s, McPhail, the players, Buck, Angelos, minor league coaches, and Joe Jordan (but to me, only for drafting Hobgood). Klentak deserves a pass.
Lefty
No one desrves a pass within the Oriole Organization ! I am glad he’s gone! Good Riddance! It should be interesting to see who Duquette brings in. I am starting to warm up to Duquette after this! Just a little for now.
Rabbitov
Sigh.
Lefty
It’s how I feel Rabbitov. Maybe the Orioles should have gotten some compensation for him. I don’t know if his contract was up or not. Maybe Angelos thought he was going to renew for 2012. I have no idea. I will end it with this: Klentak is incredibly well-respected because he works hard, has a great attitude, and is a smart baseball guy. None of those traits that you listed seemed to help the Orioles! Also, the Angels brought back Marcel Lachemann, who I think has a lifetime of knowledge to offer Dipoto and the rest of the Angel organization. To me the Angels getting him back is a bigger deal the Klentak, because he knows and understands pitching. Something the Orioles organization clearly needs to approve upon and one of the reasons why I keep saing the Orioles should look into getting Mark Langston in as a pitching coach! I am willing to bet he could help and is a Lachemann protoge
Jeff 30
:'( <- this is how I feel about this