The Los Angeles Angels had general manager Jerry Dipoto resign in July. The Seattle Mariners fired general manager Jack Zduriencik in late August. The two MLB clubs are now interested in a front office executive from the New York Yankees to fill their vacancy, according to the latest rumors.
On Wednesday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the Angels and Mariners both requested to interview Yankees' assistant GM Billy Eppler and the two were granted permission to do so. Eppler was a finalist for the Angels' GM job back in 2011 when the team hired Dipoto. He also lost out on the Padres' gig when the organization went with A.J. Preller last August.
"Billy Eppler, the right-hand man for Yankees GM Brian Cashman, made a lasting impression with the Angels during their 2011 search for a general manager, so much so that they tried to bring him on as an assistant to the man who ultimately got the job, Jerry Dipoto," Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com added.
Last week's rumors indicated Eppler was a "strong frontrunner" and "leading candidate" for the position with Los Angeles, but Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times also reported that the Angels have contacted other MLB teams to request permission to interview other front office personnel.
As for Seattle, team president Kevin Mather is looking for an experienced executive to replace Zduriencik, but it's possible interim GM Jeff Kingston remains in the position if Mather isn't impressed with candidates from outside the organization. They're already set to interview Dipoto, who is currently working with the Boston Red Sox, and it has also been speculated the team might pursue Ben Cherington (former Red Sox GM), Kenny Williams (White Sox executive vice president) and Larry Beinfest (former Marlins president of baseball operations), according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.
Anyway, here are some notable things to know about Eppler, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com:
Eppler, 39, was a former pitcher and played at the University of Connecticut before his career ended due to shoulder injuries; he began his career in the MLB as a scout for the Colorado Rockies in 2000 before joining the Yankees in 2004; he has been Cashman's assistant GM since 2012; and he's Cashman's most trusted adviser on potential player acquisitions, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
There are also a number of other clubs in search of a new general manager, including the Red Sox, Brewers, Marlins and potentially the Phillies and Reds. Eppler's market could grow if he's not hired before the offseason.
