As Mike Scioscia finishes up what will likely be his final handful of games as the Los Angeles Angels manager after 19 seasons, we’re going to start hearing a lot of rumors about a replacement for the longtime skipper.
Of course, that’s dependent on the Angels not stepping in and making a move almost immediately after yet another lost season concludes this coming weekend. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, that could in fact happen.
Former Oakland Athletics All-Star Eric Chavez, currently a special assistant in the Angels’ front office, is now considered the favorite to replace Scioscia.
Former All-Star third baseman Eric Chavez, a special assistant in the #Los Angeles Angels front office, has emerged as the favorite to replace Mike Scioscia as the Angels manager in 2019
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 25, 2018
Chavez, 40, had previously served as the manager for the Angels Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City. Prior to that, he was a special assistant in the New York Yankees’ front office.
A six-time Gold Glove winner during his 17-year MLB career, Chavez is best known for being a key figure in the Oakland Athletics’ playoff runs of the early 2000s.
If he is indeed hired, Chavez will face an uphill climb to lead Los Angeles back to relevance in the AL West. It’s a division that includes the defending World Series champion Houston Astros and an A’s team that heads into Tuesday’s action with a shocking 95-62 record.