Rookie DiPoto Sets Up Angels for Playoffs - Gary Armida's Blog

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Rookie DiPoto Sets Up Angels for Playoffs Stuck

Posted on August 2, 2012 at 09:58 AM.

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It may be a little unfair to call Angels General Manager Jerry DiPoto a rookie. DiPoto was the interim General Manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second half of the 2010 season after Josh Byrnes was dismissed. DiPoto was a finalist for the permanent job, but lost out to Kevin Towers. DiPoto bided his time in Arizona for the 2011 season, knowing full well that his first stint as a GM had vaulted him to the top of the list of candidates for open jobs. He landed in an ideal situation in Los Angeles. The Angels had a core of talent, a history of winning, a Hall of Fame Manager, and an owner who is willing to spend the money. Thus far, DiPoto is everything Arte Moreno could�ve hoped for when he hired the 44 year old for his first full-time gig.

Jerry DiPoto isn�t the type of General Manager that many fans would expect in today�s game. He has a strong background in scouting and player development. While he does pay attention to modern analytics, he is, in many ways, an old school type of GM. But, DiPoto blends his scouting background quite well with the analytics which allows him the best of both worlds. And, during his short time in the big chair, he has shown a knack of identifying talent and striking quickly to make a deal.

He showed that ability during his tenure in Arizona. He acquired Daniel Hudson from the White Sox for free agent to be Edwin Jackson. Hudson won 16 games and pitched over 200 innings for the Diamondbacks last season; he was one of the main reasons for the Diamondbacks surprising playoff run. Hudson is struggling to stay healthy this season, but DiPoto�s trade was as impactful as any move Kevin Towers made last season. DiPoto also acquired Joe Saunders in a less heralded deal. Saunders isn�t spectacular, but he has a 3.79 ERA in 63 starts since coming to Arizona. His peripheral statistics aren�t spectacular, but there is value in having a backend of the rotation starter who gives better than league average innings.

DiPoto did have money to spend once he came to Los Angeles. That undoubtedly makes life easier. He was one of the few General Managers who had the cash to land Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson. But, the first year GM did manage to land two of the three premier names on the market. While Wilson wanted to come to Los Angeles, Pujols was more work. DiPoto also traded for catcher Chris Iannetta. The catcher has been on the disabled list most of the season, but the Angels had a gaping hole at catcher during the 2011 season. DiPoto filled it quickly. He completed his off season by signing two veteran relievers, LaTroy Hawkins and Jason Isringhausen. Both veterans have made significant contributions out of the bullpen for a minimal cost.

But, DiPoto�s best job was right at the start of the season when the Angels limped out of the gate. With Albert Pujols struggling, Jordan Walden struggling, and essentially everyone else struggling, DiPoto moved quickly. On May 3rd, with his team off to a 10-16 start, DiPoto made a trade for Ernesto Frieri. Mike Scioscia is notorious for having a defined bullpen. No matter the situation, Scioscia had a setup man or two and a defined closer. When Frieri was brought in from San Diego, the Angels shifted bullpen strategy. Frieri and Scott Downs shared closing and setup duties. Scioscia deserves credit for adjusting, but the GM certainly deserves some credit for that adjustment too.

DiPoto called up Mike Trout on April 28th and stated that Trout will be the starter regardless of when Vernon Wells comes back and despite Wells� large salary. He and Scioscia also decided to give up some defense and find a way to get Mark Trumbo�s bat in the lineup. Since May, Trumbo is one of the best power hitters in Major League Baseball. With a small reconfiguration of the bullpen and defensive philosophies and the ability to quickly recognize a deficiency and just as quickly ameliorate it, DiPoto helped the Angels get over a terrible start and get within four games of the division lead.

But, that wasn�t enough. The Angels were supposed to be a team that would win on the basis of their pitching. Jered Weaver and CJ Wilson have pitched to expectations. But, Dan Haren, Ervin Santana, and Jerome Williams haven�t. Haren and Williams have been slightly worse than league average. Santana has been nothing short of awful. The trade market had a few different options. Considering that DiPoto had two top of the rotation pitchers on his staff, he wasn�t expected to land another one. As the Braves and Rangers chased Zack Greinke, DiPoto watched the market and then pounced.

He gave up his best offensive prospect in Jean Segura and two solid pitching prospects in Ariel Pena and John Hellweg to acquire the former Cy Young Award winner. With Greinke, the Angels now have three elite level pitchers, giving them a big advantage over the Rangers and most of their other competition in the Wild Card race. As for the price of Greinke, who is a free agent at season�s end, DiPoto did give up a top level prospect in Segura. But, with Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick signed to long term deals, there was no everyday place for Segura.

The acquisition of Greinke not only helps the Angels in their pursuit of the Rangers, but the impact truly helps in the playoffs. If the Angels are unable to catch the Rangers for the division lead, they will likely be one of the two Wild Cards. With the one game playoff, the Angels can choose from Weaver, Wilson, and Greinke, while still having two elite pitchers ready for the division series. While the Rays have a deep staff like that as well, no other American League team has that type of setup. The Yankees have CC Sabathia and then a steep drop off. The Tigers have Justin Verlander and a drop off. The Rangers are searching for a staff leader as Yu Darvish struggles in the second half of the season. The Wild Card is meant to punish the non-division winners--which it should--but, DiPoto set his team up well.

It is impossible to name the best General Manager in Baseball because of the unique circumstances each GM works under. Andrew Friedman of the Rays operates under very different circumstances than Brian Cashman does. But, a universal measure of a General Manager is how he quickly he can identify a problem and how quickly and efficiently he can fix it. DiPoto has shown that ability this season. Acquiring Frieri was a quick, efficient move that helped Mike Scioscia revamp his bullpen use. Making the decision to release Bobby Abreu and to announce that Vernon Wells would be a part time player when he gets back illustrated that DiPoto had the pulse of his team and the locker room. Adding Greinke sets his team up for a deep playoff run, even if they have to play in the winner take all Wild Card round.

Jerry DiPoto showed an ability to make good trades that can have a real, immediate impact on the team. He did in a short stint in Arizona and he has during his rookie season. He does have money to spend, but he has shown the ability to move quickly, change quickly, and to identify impact talent. Not too bad for a rookie.