Billy Eppler will be the next Angels general manager. According to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times, the Angels are expected to name Eppler GM at some point on Monday.
Eppler is set to replace Jerry Dipoto, who resigned in July but was recently hired by the Mariners to serve as their next general manager.
Los Angeles was eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday and as a result will not have the opportunity to play the Yankees in the American League Wild Card contest. On Saturday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted the chance of the Yankees and Angels meeting in the playoffs might have prevented the Angels from hiring Eppler sooner.
Although Eppler was thought to be among the favorites, the Angels have been linked to multiple front office executives over the last few weeks. Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes was considered and Mike Hazen, Tony La Cava, Ross Atkins and internal candidates Scott Servais, Matt Klentak and Hal Morris were all connected to the opening.
Before he was hired by New York in 2004, Eppler was a scout in the Rockies organization. The Yankees eventually promoted him to director of professional scouting before he was named an assistant GM in 2011. Eppler drew a notable amount of interest from the Padres last year and was linked to but declined to interview for the Diamondbacks' GM opening last season.
The Angels have a notable amount of talent and after winning 85 games this season are expected to compete in 2016. Mike Trout is the key core player and the Angels have not hesitated to spend big on major free agents in the past. Eppler's plan to improve the roster will likely be made clear throughout the course of the offseason.
Dipoto and Manager Mike Scioscia did not always agree, and Eppler will be forced to work with Scioscia regardless of any conflicts moving forward.