Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Bill Stoneman era over in the OC?

Bill Stoneman, who built the Angels' only World Series championship team, presiding over the most successful period in franchise history, is expected to step down after eight years as general manager.

Stoneman's eight-year tenure as Angels GM is the longest since the franchise's first GM, Fred Haney, held the position for the Angels' first eight seasons. Though he was often criticized for a reluctance to make trades, the Angels had four 90-win seasons, made the playoffs four of the past six years, won the division three of the past four and became World Series champions for the first time in franchise history in 2002 during Stoneman's tenure.

The Angels have called a news conference for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. to make what is billed as "a major announcement." The Angels would not comment on the record but indications are the announcement will be Stoneman's decision to step down as GM after eight years and move into a consultant's role with the team.

"It's going to be a baseball operations-related press conference," Angels spokesman Tim Mead said.

Multiple reports said Stoneman will remain with the organization as a consultant.
The Los Angeles Times reported on its Web site that Tony Reagins, the Angels' director of player development, is expected to become the new GM.

Los Angeles won its third AL West title in four years this season, but was swept out of the playoffs in three games by the Red Sox in the division series. The closest the Angels have come to returning to the World Series was in 2005, when they lost to the Chi Sox in the AL Championship Series. Angel fans won't easily forget the AJ Pierzinski-Doug Eddings-Josh Paul incident.

The Angels have made the postseason only seven times in their 47-year history, and four of those appearances came after Stoneman became their GM in the winter of 1999. After not reaching the playoffs since 1986, the Angels earned a postseason berth as a wild card in 2002 and beat the New York Yankees and Twins in the AL playoffs before defeating the Giants in seven games to win the World Series.

Stoneman, 63, was hired after the 1999 season. When Arte Moreno purchased the team in May 2003, Stoneman was given a contract extension. That contract ended with the 2007 season but included a mutual option for Stoneman to either continue as GM or step into a consultant's role.

Reagins, 40, is a 1991 graduate of Cal State Fullerton who has been working in the Angels' organization since 1992. He started as an intern in baseball operations and the marketing department then spent four years as the Angels' manager of baseball operations before being promoted to director of player development six years ago. Abe Flores is currently the Angels' manager of baseball operations and would be in line to replace Reagins as director of player development.

Under Reagins' direction, the Angels' minor-league system has become one of the most well-stocked and well-respected in baseball. Fifteen of the 25 players on the Angels' playoff roster against the Boston Red Sox were products of the team's farm system, the most homegrown players among the eight teams that qualified for postseason play this season.

Stoneman's decision to step aside -- and Moreno's apparent decision to promote Reagins -- leaves the Angels with a rookie general manager at the start of an off-season in which Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds could provide big-name options in the seemingly annual quest for a big bat.

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