The October 9th, 2013 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including Angels keep Scioscia and Dipoto, Picciolo and Eppard fired and much more…
The Story: The Angels announced Mike Scioscia and Jerry Dipoto will return in 2014.
The Monkey Says: It is a tough decision, but probably the right one. Finding a superior manager to Scioscia wouldn't be easy and cutting bait on Dipoto and overhauling the front office again would have been a big setback for the club. Make no mistake though, both men are going to be on the wobbly chair the second pitchers and catchers report to training camp in Tempe.
The Story: Hitting coach Jim Eppard has been fired and bench coach Rob Picciolo has been replaced by Dino Ebel.
The Monkey Says: This is a small blow to Scioscia's organizational power as Picciolo was one of his guys and Mike had supposedly demanded to keep his staff intact earlier in the off-season. Many are upset that Mike Butcher survived the mini-purge, because apparently it is his fault that the pitching staff has so little talent to work with. As for replacements, popular opinion is that Omar Vizquel will take over at third (though one would think they would've announced it already if that were the case). At hitting coach, one candidate you will hear a lot about is Wally Joyner, who just resigned as the assistant hitting coach of the Phillies yesterday. Being a former Angel shouldn't be a major qualification for the job, but if they hire more for PR, Joyner would be a popular hire.
The Story: Jerry Dipoto did not have his contract option for 2015 exercised.
The Monkey Says: They can still do it at a later date, but the reluctance to pick up that option is as sure a signal as any that Dipoto's job security is tenuous, at best. That is a dangerous proposition as it incentivizes Dipoto to make moves this winter that could forsake the future so the Halos can win now and save his job.
The Story: The Angels outrighted Andrew Taylor, Brandon Sisk and Robert Coello off of the 40-man roster.
The Monkey Says: Taylor has a shredded shoulder and Sisk is coming off TJ surgery, so neither were threats to be claimed. Coello slipped through, likely in part to arm problems of his own, but he was healthy to end the season and could still opt for free agency. Odds are he will stay with the organization since they are likely to give him a chance to win his roster spot back. The fuckleball ain't dead yet!
The Story: The Mariners claimed Travis Witherspoon off waivers from the Angels.
The Monkey Says: Spoon is a freaky athlete, but he just can't make contact. He can run, field, hit for some power and draw a walk, but he just can't put the bat on the ball enough to get out of Double-A right now. He is only 24, so his career still has some hope, but it is a longshot that he even becomes a bench player at this point, so the Halos decided to cut bait.
The Story: The ten best draft picks made with free agent compensation picks.
The Monkey Says: The Angels were involved with three of those ten, two of which were in their favor. But don't worry, Michael Wacha is threatening to break onto this same list five years from now to even things out.
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