It was just recently that longtime MLB manager Buck Showalter found himself out of a job with the New York Mets after just two seasons.
The way New York opted to move on from Showalter at the end of a trying season for the team didn’t sit right with some. That’s especially true with Showalter being widely respected around the MLB world.
However, Showalter might not be long on the unemployment line. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Showalter has met with the Los Angeles Angels’ brass about their managerial vacancy. He’s considered one of several finalists to replace the recently-fired Phil Nevin in that role.
Benji Gil, Walt Weiss and Ron Washington are also known candidates for the opening. As for Showalter’s candidacy, he seems to fit what Angels general manager Perry Minasian is looking for as a replacement for Nevin.
“I think there’s general things you look for from a leadership level,” Minasian said back October. “Presence, respect, honesty, I think are probably right up there. And there’s obviously more to it. But those are generally things you’re looking for in a leadership role.”
Showalter, 67, is considered a baseball lifer. His first gig as a manager came with the New York Yankees all the way back in 1992. After spending four seasons in New York, he manged the Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000), Texas Rangers (2003-06), Baltimore Orioples (2010-18) and New York Mets (2022-23).
Buck Showalter record: 1,727-1,665, .509% winning, 6 playoff appearances
The Los Angeles Angels’ interest in Showalter comes after they missed out on the playoffs for a ninth consecutive season.
It also comes with Los Angeles set to embark on what could be a franchise-altering winter with star two-way player Shohei Ohtani set to hit free agency and unlikely to be back.
The Angels have not had a winning season since back in 2015. They are coming off their second consecutive 89-loss season and have gone through three different managers over the past five seasons. At the very least, Showalter would provide stability in this regard.