Angels dismiss general manager Minasian
ANAHEIM -- The Angels relieved general manager Perry Minasian of his duties on Friday and hired former longtime Cardinals executive John Mozeliak as interim general manager, the club announced before their series opener against the Athletics.
The Angels entered Friday with a 34-48 record that was tied for the worst mark in the American League along with the Royals. But they had been playing better recently, going 17-14 over their last 31 games.
It wasn’t enough to save Minasian’s job, as the Angels never posted a winning record during his tenure since being hired prior to the 2021 season. The Angels went 77-85 in 2021, 73-79 in both '22 and '23, 63-99 in '24 and 72-90 in '25 to go a combined 392-500.
Molly Jolly, who took over as club president this season after longtime executive John Carpino retired, made the announcement. Mozeliak will also help assist the organization in a search for a new GM.
"Perry has been a valued leader who worked tirelessly over the last six years to strengthen our baseball operations department,” Jolly said in a statement. “I am grateful for his dedication, insight and many contributions to our organization.”
Mozeliak joins the Angels after 30 years with the Cardinals. He served as the GM and president of baseball operations for St. Louis from 2007-25, including a stretch of 15 straight winning seasons from '08-23. During his tenure leading the Cardinals, they reached the postseason 10 times, won six division titles, captured two NL pennants and won the 2011 World Series.
"John is one of the most accomplished and respected baseball executives with a proven track record of building a winning organization,” said Jolly. “For three decades, he constructed one of baseball’s most respected organizations, combining strong leadership with a commitment to player development and organizational excellence. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Angels and look forward to benefiting from his experience and perspective as we continue to shape the future of our organization.”
Mozeliak, 57, is a Colorado native who got his start as a video coordinator with the Rockies in 1993 and spent three years with the organization before joining the Cardinals' scouting department in '95. He served as assistant scouting director, scouting director and an assistant GM before becoming GM.
He’ll be tasked with taking over during an important time for the club, with the MLB Draft on July 11-12 and the Trade Deadline looming on Aug. 3. The Angels have the No. 12 overall selection in the Draft this year.
The Angels also will have to decide whether to trade starting pitchers José Soriano or Reid Detmers, as they both have plenty of value but remain under team control through 2028. Superstar Mike Trout, however, still remains highly unlikely to be moved because he remains under contract through 2030 at $37.1 million annually and has a full no-trade clause.
But Trout is one of just two players under contract beyond next year, along with lefty Yusei Kikuchi, who signed a three-year deal worth $63 million before last season. It was the biggest free-agent contract handed out by Minasian during his tenure. The Angels cut payroll heading into this season, as owner Arte Moreno said in Spring Training that they lost revenue with their new television deal.
Mozeliak and Jolly are both scheduled to meet with the media prior to Saturday’s game against the A’s.