Might longtime MLB player Eric Chavez be in line to replace Mike Scioscia as the Los Angeles Angels’ manager? A move made by the organization suggests that he’s a candidate.
With reports swirling Scioscia will step down at season’s end, the Halos made a pretty significant move on Sunday. It was that Keith Johnson, manager of the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, will join the Angels’ coaching staff. Chavez will assume Johnson’s role for the remainder of the season.
Call up! Bees Manager Keith Johnson will be joining the @Angels Major League coaching staff. Effective today, Angels Special Assistant Eric Chavez will assume managerial responsibilities for the Bees through the conclusion of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/9ECtBnJGCE
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 5, 2018
Chavez has been talked about as a possible replacement for Scioscia. It is worth noting, though, that Scioscia has denied the reports of his pending resignation.
That said, if Scioscia does step down and things go well in Salt Lake City, Chavez would certainly be a sensible replacement.
Chavez played from 1998-2014. He was with the Oakland Athletics through the 2010 season before moving on to the New York Yankees (2011-2012) and finishing with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2013-2014).
He worked as a special assistant to the New York front office, including Billy Eppler, in 2015 before moving to the Angels when Eppler was hired as the GM.