The Los Angeles Angels missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, in part because of one of the more baffling trades of the decade, but this is still a bit of a shock: Angels GM Tony Reagins is stepping down from his post. From Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times:
Angels GM Tony Reagins Steps Down
The Angels General Manager, Tony Reagins, will not be trading for John Lackey this offseason.
Tony Reagins resigns as GM.But the plot thickens. From Mark Whicker of the Orange County Register:
(Owner Arte) Moreno quote in the release says “we felt a change was needed,” which means it wasn’t a resignation.
If there were ever one move that could rightfully cost a GM his job, it would be the Vernon Wells trade. In came Vernon Wells and his entire $86 million contract, and out went catcher/DH Mike Napoli. The trade meant 505 at-bats of .218/.248/.412 for Wells, and 247 at-bats of .174/.225/.259 for Jeff Mathis, who had split time with Napoli in the previous year.
Even though the Angels finished 10 games out in the AL West, the trade could have been the difference in the division. Even worse, Wells is still due $60+ million. Other than that, Reagins was just swell.
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