MIAMI — With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, the Angels are hoping to have their GM search concluded by the end of the season.
Club president Molly Jolly, who has been with the team this weekend in Miami, said on Sunday that her goal for the timeline is the same as it was when interim GM John Mozeliak was hired in June.
“Originally we were talking about trying to have that in place going into the offseason, so we are well positioned,” Jolly said. “This is my preference, to give us the full amount of time in the offseason with the right person in place.”
Jolly was noncommittal about whether Mozeliak is a candidate to remain in charge of baseball operations beyond his current deal, which expires in December.
“He said he’s having fun,” Jolly said. “I just don’t want to rush any commentary publicly with how we’re looking at things, because I want to be thoughtful with every move we make. We’ll come out and let you know when the time is right as far as what we’re thinking for those pieces.”
Mozeliak said on Monday, after the deadline, that he would talk to Jolly and owner Arte Moreno about their plans before deciding on his interest in a future role. Obviously, it’s not all or nothing for Mozeliak. He could remain as an advisor without being responsible for every bit of the day-to-day baseball operation.
So far, the industry has responded positively to what Mozeliak and Jolly have done. The Angels were legitimate sellers at the deadline, acquiring a handful of prospects in exchange for controllable players like José Soriano, Jo Adell, Ryan Zeferjahn, Chase Silseth, and Logan O’Hoppe.
They had not made those kind of moves in the past.
“A lot’s been accomplished in a very short period of time with Mo,” Jolly said. “It has gone really well. We’re really happy with the way we navigated the draft and the trade deadline.”
THE NEW BAT
Angels hitting coach Brady Anderson has been impressed with newly acquired catcher/DH Moisés Ballesteros in the first week, and a couple of ground balls made the biggest impression on him.
In the second inning on Thursday in Baltimore, Ballesteros pushed a ground ball the other way, for a single through the hole between the shortstop and third baseman. Later in the game, with a runner at second and no outs, he took an outside pitch and pulled it to the second baseman, moving the runner over.
“That was not by accident,” Anderson said. “He can really handle the bat.”
Ballesteros was one of the Chicago Cubs top prospects coming into the season, mostly because of what he can do at the plate. He hit .286 with an .820 OPS in the minors, with a 16% strikeout rate.
In the majors, he hasn’t fared as well, hitting .249 with a .736 OPS with the Cubs. In his first five games with the Angels, he was 3 for 18 with one walk and five strikeouts. Two of his outs were hit over 100 mph, though.
“I love the swing,” Anderson said. “Some guys you don’t work with. You watch them initially. I let him know that his swing works and we’re going to let it work.”
NOTES
Right-hander Ryan Watson joined the Angels on Sunday. He had been claimed on waivers on Friday. The Angels opened a spot by optioning right-hander Brett Kerry, who pitched 5⅔ innings in Saturday’s 7-0 loss. “It was a great job by him,” manger Kurt Suzuki said. “He did his job, saved the bullpen, then you have to option him for a fresh arm, which is part of the gig and he understands that. We appreciate what he did yesterday… We’ll probably see him again.” Suzuki said he expects Watson to be available for long relief, up to three innings. …
Utilityman Kyren Paris hit two more homers on Saturday night at Triple-A. Paris has hit .293 with 11 homers and a .996 OPS in 46 games at Salt Lake. He has struck out in 30% of his plate appearances at Triple-A, though. …
Angels third base coach Keith Johnson, who was the Marlins’ first base coach in 2021 and 2022, was trying to arrange a meeting between Angels’ rookie right-hander Walbert Ureña and Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara. Ureña said Alcantara, a fellow native of the Dominican Republic, is one of his favorite pitchers.
UP NEXT
Rangers (TBD) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 3-8, 4.12), Monday, 6:38 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM