The Los Angeles Angels have been on the hunt for a new manager since they opted not to pick up the 2024 option on Phil Nevin’s contract. They interviewed a number of candidates, and despite plenty of rumors going in a different direction, it appears the Angels have reportedly found their man in longtime player and coach Ron Washington.
Washington reportedly did a final interview for the position on Tuesday night, one of the first times his name had been seriously mentioned in the hiring search. Clearly, things came together quickly for Arte Moreno, Perry Minasian and company with Washington reportedly getting on board on Wednesday.
The deal was announced by Jeff Passan of ESPN:
The Los Angeles Angels are hiring Ron Washington as their new manager, sources tell ESPN.
Washington, the former manager of the Texas Rangers and beloved longtime coach now with Atlanta, gets another shot with the Angels. @JonHeyman was on it.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 8, 2023
Washington played for five different teams over the course of 10 Major League seasons, spending the bulk of his time — 1981-86 — with the Minnesota Twins. He then spent 11 years as a coach in the Oakland Athletics organization, famously being a part of the Moneyball coaching staff.
He was hired as the manager of the Texas Rangers in 2007 and spent the next eight seasons in Arlington before resigning to tend to a family matter. He made it to the postseason three times and made two World Series with the Rangers, losing the pennant in both 2010 and 2011.
He then went back to the Athletics for two seasons before being hired as the third base coach of the Atlanta Braves in 2017. He has spent the last seven seasons in that position, winning the 2021 World Series.
What this means for Angels
Hiring a veteran like Washington hardly signals a move toward a rebuild or becoming sellers. Washington has been around winning for much of his career, and although he has not managed in nearly 10 years, he has all the prerequisite experience.
The Angels can now focus on their bid to re-sign Shohei Ohtani, although they’ll have some competition.
