Angels Infield Coach Benji Gil Emerges As Option For Manager Position

The Los Angeles Angels list of priorities for the offseason involves finding the club’s fourth manager since Mike Scioscia departed following the 2018 season.

His track record of nearly 20 years at the helm of the Angels looms large as the front office as failed to replicate both the steady presence and influence in a clubhouse. Transitioning from Joe Maddon, to Phil Nevin only got them so far, and in the most important free agency window in team history, the list of candidates should be large.

Their search should involve in-house candidates as well, with Benji Gil right at the top, per Sarah Valenzuela of the L.A. Times:

The Angels’ infield coach, who also managed Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic in March, has already expressed his interest in managing a major league team… The Angels are interested in him as a potential manager, according to a person familiar with the situation but unauthorized to speak publicly.

Gil guided Team Mexico to an incredible run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, finishing pool play with three straight wins, winning their quarterfinals matchup with Puerto Rico, eventually placing third.

The Angels would be wise to give him a fair shot, as he’s earned the respect of many players he’s coached in Major League Baseball, and for his time in the WBC.

Growing up in Chula Vista, Gil has strong ties to the Southern California area, and has the makings of a solid skipper if given a chance with a young, feisty roster.

Perry Minasian gives strong endorsement of Angels managerial job

With a relatively solid, youthful group of players in the Major League ranks, the next skipper has a lot to look forward to when considering the Angels. With Nevin being the 22nd manager in club history, they’ll be in search of their third since Mike Scioscia departed following the 2018 season.

Minasian believes the position is among the best in baseball, because of their crop of young talent currently in MLB.