Fansided

Ranking the MLB managerial openings

By Joshua Sadlock

Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim talks with Sandy Leon #3 of the Boston Red Sox during an at bat of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 31, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim talks with Sandy Leon #3 of the Boston Red Sox during an at bat of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 31, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels job looks like it was opened up as soon as it became clear that Joe Maddon would not be returning in Chicago. Brad Ausmus only got one year at the helm, which seems unfair, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes in baseball. It’s a tough break for Ausmus, who never really got a chance to manage the Angels, but Maddon spent 30 years with the organization. It’s his job if he wants it, and Ausmus hasn’t exactly made a case for himself as an elite MLB manager in two different spots.

Mike Trout’s prime is being wasted by the Angels, who have made the playoffs only once in his nine seasons. They have mostly been right around .500 until dropping to 72-90 this year. The Angels have not been serious playoff contenders for four years. At 28, Trout is somehow still ascending and the Angels need to find a way to bring the rest of the roster along for the ride.

Even with Trout leading the way, the Angels have some serious flaws that a manager will not be able to overcome right out of the gate. Their pitching staff is a mess and Albert Pujols and Justin Upton will be dead weight on the payroll for two and three more seasons, respectively. Those contracts pale in comparison to the atrocity that is Zack Cozart‘s deal. He has hit .190/.261/.296 in 96 games since signing his $38-million contract.

There is plenty of reason to be hopeful for Angels fans and their new manager, however. The front office has stopped blindly spending on free agents for the most part and is making a concerted effort to build up a farm system that has been one of the worst in the league for a long time. Jo Adell is a future superstar who could be playing next to Trout as early as next season. The Angels also get to turn Shohei Ohtani the pitcher loose on the league again next season. It will take some work and some patience, but Anaheim will be a nice landing spot for Maddon.

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