Perry Minasian, an assistant general manager with the Atlanta Braves, is the front-runner to be the Los Angeles Angels’ new GM, a source told ESPN on Wednesday night. A decision is expected Thursday.
Minasian has spent the past three years working alongside Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos and has helped to turn the organization into a perennial contender bursting with young talent.
Minasian was initially hired by former Braves GM John Coppolella about a month before Coppolella was forced to resign amid rules violations in the international market in October 2017, then was elevated to his current position when Anthopoulos took over shortly thereafter.
Before joining the Braves, Minasian spent nine years filling a variety of scouting roles with the Toronto Blue Jays.
As of Wednesday night, Justin Hollander, an assistant GM with the Seattle Mariners, appeared to be the only other candidate remaining. The other men who made it to the second round — Chicago Cubs senior vice president of player personnel Jason McLeod and Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GMs Jared Porter and Amiel Sawdaye — had already been informed they wouldn’t get the job, according to a source.
Hollander, who currently assists former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto in all aspects of major league operations in Seattle, served in a variety of roles with the Angels from 2008 to 2016 and also has a long-standing relationship with Angels owner Arte Moreno and Angels president John Carpino, the two men who spearheaded the search. Hollander was also with the Angels while current manager Joe Maddon was on the major league coaching staff.
The initial wave included nearly 20 applicants, including former GMs such as Michael Hill, Dan Jennings, Bobby Evans and Ruben Amaro Jr. The Angels, who fired Billy Eppler after a five-year run as GM at the end of the 2020 season, have qualified for the postseason only once since 2009 and are trying desperately to get back into contention with Mike Trout approaching his age-29 season.