Ron Washington says focus with Angels 'to run the West down' - ESPN

ANAHEIM, Calif. — It was probably already obvious, largely because of how prior winters have gone, but Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian said so definitively on Wednesday — the Angels don't plan to take a step back to rebuild, in any capacity, in 2024.

«We're going to be aggressive this offseason,» Minasian said, «and we're going to make this team better.»

Minasian's new manager, the deeply passionate, widely respected Ron Washington, might help.

«I've gotten numerous calls already of people that have played for him, people that know him — not only excited for him and his opportunity but wouldn't mind joining the party over here,» Minasian said. «That's exciting, too.»

Washington, 71, was formally introduced as the Angels' fifth manager in eight years on Wednesday, a hiring Minasian touted as one that can ignite an entire organization. Mike Scioscia's 19-year run, which culminated in the Angels becoming one of the industry's most successful teams in the early 2000s, was followed by brief stints from Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon and Phil Nevin. The Angels have gone nine consecutive seasons without qualifying for the postseason and haven't won a playoff game since 2009.

Washington, who signed a two-year contract that also includes a club option, expects to change that.

«If you remember now — I was in Texas, and guess what we did? We ran the Angels down,» Washington told a large conference room of media members, team employees and current and former players. «Now I'm in California, with the Anaheim Angels — well, the Los Angeles Angels. I'll get that in my head. Once we get things together, we get these guys together in spring training and start to work, our whole focus is gonna be to run the West down. And you