Dipoto leaves Angels with no ill will

ANAHEIM -- Jerry Dipoto insisted that he isn't bitter or upset, even though the circumstances of his resignation on Wednesday seemed to point toward those sentiments.

"I am not leaving a disgruntled employee throwing stones on the way out the door," Dipoto said in a phone conversation late Wednesday night. "I love the group; I really do. And I hope that the guys can continue to make as much progress as I feel we've made in the last three and a half years. This is simply about me believing that I was no longer in a position to be that person."

"That person" was the Angels' general manager, a role Dipoto had filled since Oct. 29, 2011. There were plenty of highs along the way, most notably a 98-win season, a Mike Trout extension, a trade for Huston Street and a stunning pursuit of Albert Pujols. But there were also some lows, most of which centered on an inability to foster what Dipoto considered a healthy working relationship with longtime manager Mike Scioscia.

• Dipoto resigns; Stoneman named Angels' GM
• Angels' players ready to move forward

Angels president John Carpino, who has appointed Bill Stoneman as interim GM, felt Dipoto's relationship with Scioscia was "normal" and "healthy." Scioscia said that, in his mind, "there's never been a power struggle."

Dipoto simply said, "We had some days that were better than others."

Dipoto, a former Major League reliever, joined the Angels after front-office stints with the Red Sox, Rockies and D-backs, with whom he briefly served as interim GM. He brought with him an entire team of executives and scouts, the vast majority of whom will stay on at least through this season, partly at Dipoto's urging.

"The front-office people, the scouting and development, every player in that clubhouse, I love them more than they'll know," Dipoto said. "I think they're equipped to do very good things. It just wasn't going to be the right time for me. I didn't feel like I could help take the next step forward in the position I was in, and I felt like this was the right thing to do."

Dipoto did not criticize the organization or Scioscia, but those close to the situation have long said that Dipoto struggled with the belief that he lacked what he felt was the appropriate autonomy for a GM.

On Wednesday, he admitted that the timing of his resignation "may not be great, and for that I do have some regret." He talked about helping Stoneman and the remaining front-office staff in any way he can -- if they ask for it -- and insisted that he'll "pull for their success."

But Dipoto also believed there was no purpose in staying.

So, what's next?

"I don't know," Dipoto said. "I'm 47 years old, this is the only industry I've ever worked in, I feel like I have a lot to offer. I'm not done working. There are things where I feel like I can help an organization, and areas where I feel like I can help a group improve, up to and including the potential of doing this job again. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I'll have no regrets, because I feel like over the last three and a half years, we've done a lot more good here than bad."