Moreno: Scioscia, Dipoto will be back next season
Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia and general manager Jerry Dipoto will return next season, team owner Arte Moreno said Saturday.
"Regardless of what happens the next 11 games, Mike Scioscia will 100 percent return," Moreno told MLB.com. "I have told him. He wants to come back, I want him to come back. He's been the manager of the Angels for 13 years. He will be the manager of the Angels for a 14th year. Period.
"... Jerry Dipoto will be back. "I think we're learning a lot about ourselves, but (Dipoto) will be back."
Scioscia signed a 10-year contract before the 2009 season and Dipoto was hired to replace Tony Reagins last season.
However, the Angels are 2 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot entering Sunday after Moreno significantly upgraded the roster this season. He spent $315 million on two free agents, first baseman Albert Pujols and pitcher C.J. Wilson. The Angels also have had a MVP candidate in rookie outfielder Mike Trout.
Before Saturday, multiple media reports had described the relationship between Scioscia and Dipoto as strained with Moreno reportedly unhappy with the results delivered by both men.
However, Scioscia, who has been on the hotseat because of the team's struggles, reiterated his desire to remain with the Angels, who are the cusp of missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
"From my end of it," Scioscia said to MLB.com, "I have a commitment here. I love it here. I have a passion for it. I'm happy Arte feels the same way. We need to keep moving forward, getting better. There have been a lot of things floating around that weren't accurate. Now we can just concentrate on playing baseball."
