http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/players/jerry_dipoto/137360 Recent articles about Jerry Dipoto en-us In the wake of consecutive arson jobs by Joe Blanton and Barry Enright, the rotation that Jerry Dipoto has come under fire. Well, that's not true, it has been under fire since the first week of the season, but the level of WTF when it comes to the starting pitching is now palpable. How could a GM make over a rotation that struggled last season and somehow replace it with a new rotation that is even worse? A growing sentiment is that Dipoto is just plain incompetent. That, of course, is stupid. True incompetence would be to build a rotation with no discernible plan. Jerry very much had a plan and a sound one at that. Unfortunately, plans don't always play out like they are supposed to and Dipoto is finding that out the hard way. The acquisitions of Joe Blanton, Jason Vargas and Tommy Hanson weren't terribly popular. Those three lack the style and flash that Dipoto's other more famous pick ups have had. These weren't big name guys with stellar track records... Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:14 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipotos_rotation_plan_flawed_or_bad_luck/13631747 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipotos_rotation_plan_flawed_or_bad_luck/13631747 Dipoto's rotation plan: flawed or bad luck? http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dipotos_rotation_plan_flawed_or_bad_luck/13631747 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/dd2fa0df090ffc3c76dba2792ba94e4e2fa20292/mini/6849622.jpg Slow clap, everyone. Slow clap.  Congratulations, Jerry Dipoto, through the tens of millions of dollars that you spent and the series of trades you swung last off-season, you finally go something right. Sean Burnett? When healthy, sure, but that healthy part is kind of important. Tommy Hanson? Meh. Ryan Madson? I'll let you know if/when he ever dons an Angel uniform. Josh Hamilton? Of course not. Joe Blanton? Don't make me punch you. I'm talking about the "big splash" that was the trade of Jason Vargas who has thus far been a rousing success for the Halos in that Vargas has been exactly what the Angels expected. What? You didn't think a Halo acquisition would actually overachieve did you? That would just be silly. The big concern heading into the season for the Angels was their rotation. Those concerns have been more than justified... so very justified. The only pitcher who doesn't deserve any blame, at least thus far becau... Wed, 15 May 2013 14:03:26 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jason_vargas_the_one_thing_jerry_dipoto_got_right/13623689 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jason_vargas_the_one_thing_jerry_dipoto_got_right/13623689 Jason Vargas, the one thing Jerry Dipoto got right http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jason_vargas_the_one_thing_jerry_dipoto_got_right/13623689 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/6130c40b6a85d61e23d17e8597e32ba7ae2a25cd/mini/6849592.jpg The May 10th, 2013 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including C.J. Wilson gets engaged to Brazilian supermodel, Dipoto dances around firing Scioscia questions and much more... The Story: C.J. Wilson got engaged to his Bra-lisallzilian supermodel girlfriend earlier this week. The Monkey Says: I think she should've said no until he pitched seven full innings in a start. Make him earn it. The Story: Jerry Dipoto dances around making a direct statement about Scioscia's job security. The Monkey Says: Jerry is quoted here with a lot of talk about "we" and said on Jim Bowden's radio show how they'd work out of the hole "together." That sounds like a tacit vote of confidence, but it is standard Dipoto speak where he makes it sound like he is saying yes but is also leaving himself enough wiggle room for the answer to still be no. The Story: Mike Scioscia offers some insightful commentary on his job status. The ... Fri, 10 May 2013 04:35:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_wilson_gets_engaged_to_brazilian_supermodel_dipoto_dances_around_firing/13588361 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_wilson_gets_engaged_to_brazilian_supermodel_dipoto_dances_around_firing/13588361 Halo Headlines: Wilson gets engaged to Brazilian supermodel, Dipoto dances around firing ... http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/halo_headlines_wilson_gets_engaged_to_brazilian_supermodel_dipoto_dances_around_firing/13588361 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/9/e9988e8370f285d382002b571694ef9e39ad3800/mini/6387416.jpg Like any Angel fan, I've continued to monitor their free agency decisions and subsequent performances for the past two seasons since Jerry Dipoto was hired.  I'm beginning to recognize a pattern that likely reflects the approach Dipoto has taken toward putting his own personal touch on the Angels system.  To the untrained eye, it appears as though the Angels have a bloated payroll full of under performers and an empty minor league system that is offering little or no support to a struggling Major League roster.  I'm not here to give a rosy red assessment of the state of the organization.  Those statements are relatively true.  But ask yourself this question, why does the club look like it currently does and why does the minor league system look barren?  Wasn't Dipoto supposed to be a smarter, more innovative "new school" type of General Manager?   The best way I can explain the Dipoto regime and his moves is that this man has his eye on the ... Thu, 09 May 2013 13:56:03 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jerry_dipotos_rebuildreload_plan/13584158 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/jerry_dipotos_rebuildreload_plan/13584158 Jerry Dipoto's rebuild/reload plan http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jerry_dipotos_rebuildreload_plan/13584158 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/d/dd2fa0df090ffc3c76dba2792ba94e4e2fa20292/mini/6849622.jpg If you could make one move as the Angels GM, what would it be? Would you start planning a budget to sign Verlander or Kershaw? Would you make a big trade at the deadline? Would you micro-manage the lineup, like in the movie "Moneyball"? Would you start teaching all of your pitchers to throw the knuckle ball to try and produce the next R. A. Dickey? As much as fans may want to the be the GM, the inner workings of a Major League front office are known to only a very few people in the world. And, most of the time, when a GM speaks, the message is very guarded, and often filtered by the media. But, at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest the fans were given a very rare treat--the opportunity to ask their questions directly to Jerry Dipoto, the General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In a very candid, humorous, honest, and direct interview, Mr. Dipoto delved into all of the above issues and many more.  Mr. Dipoto did not shy away from the tough... Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:40:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_talks_with_the_fans_at_the_2013_angelswincom_spring_training_fanfest/13212967 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_talks_with_the_fans_at_the_2013_angelswincom_spring_training_fanfest/13212967 Angels GM Jerry Dipoto Talks with the Fans at the 2013 AngelsWin.com Spring Training Fanfest http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_talks_with_the_fans_at_the_2013_angelswincom_spring_training_fanfest/13212967 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/6130c40b6a85d61e23d17e8597e32ba7ae2a25cd/mini/6849592.jpg Interview conducted on January 23, 2013 by David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer  Whenever I go to a meeting, I hope to get just one bit of useful information in order to call the meeting a success. Sometimes that doesn’t always happen, but I am always hopeful. Yesterday I met with Jerry Dipoto, the General Manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I hoped to ask him about his first year on the job, a bit about the 2012 season, and all the offseason moves he made to make the 2013 season.  Like always, I hoped to gain just one insight to make it all worthwhile. Instead, what I got was a 40-minute education about how things work within the Angels, how he as a GM thinks, what he looks for, the skills he values, and the way he gets things done within the organization. We talked about all the things I hoped to discuss along with plenty more. He spent far more time with me than I ever imagined I would get. His candor to the questions was unlike the stock answers that bas... Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:16:00 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/los_angeles_angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_interviews_with_angelswincom/12744766 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/los_angeles_angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_interviews_with_angelswincom/12744766 Los Angeles Angels GM Jerry Dipoto Interviews with AngelsWin.com http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/los_angeles_angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_interviews_with_angelswincom/12744766 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The December 26th, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels tops amongst 2013 storylines, Dipoto's transformation of the Angels and much more... The Story: Trout and the Angels lead the top storylines headed into 2013. The Monkey Says: Storylines, aka the narrative that the media is going to try to ram down our throats even if it no longer fits perfectly.  That explains why the Trout vs. Harper angle is getting played up here again even though the two have still never faced each other in a game and have on real rivalry whatsoever. The Story: How Jerry Dipoto was able to transform the Angels in a little over a year. The Monkey Says: Tremendous work here.  One thought occurred to me though while reading it and that is that Dipoto has overhauled almost every part of the organization except the manager.  I've never really believed he'd do it before, but having his sweeping changes put into perspective like this makes... Wed, 26 Dec 2012 09:41:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_angels_tops_amongst_2013_storylines_dipotos_transformation_of_the_angels/12511288 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_angels_tops_amongst_2013_storylines_dipotos_transformation_of_the_angels/12511288 Halo Headlines: Angels tops amongst 2013 storylines, Dipoto's transformation of the Angels http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/halo_headlines_angels_tops_amongst_2013_storylines_dipotos_transformation_of_the_angels/12511288 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Being labeled as an expensive failure is inevitable now. The Los Angeles Angels made the biggest single-day free agent splash in baseball history last winter and had the fourth-highest payroll in the majors this season -- but they did not make the playoffs. "Failure is a relative term," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "We could win 90 ... games, I don't want to call that a successful season, but I don't know that I'd deem it a failure. We came up short. That's for certain. And we have to figure out how to not come up short next time." Improving a bullpen that blew 22 saves this season (the most in the American League) would be one good way. Dipoto will also have some work to do on the rotation. Zack Greinke, obtained from the Milwaukee Brewers at midseason, is a potential free agent likely to have big-money offers from a number of teams. Keeping Greinke takes on added importance if the Angels (as expected) buy out the option years in the ... Wed, 03 Oct 2012 03:41:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipoto_angels_season_isnt_a_failure/11870131 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipoto_angels_season_isnt_a_failure/11870131 Dipoto: Angels' season isn't a failure http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dipoto_angels_season_isnt_a_failure/11870131 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png As the Angels bullpen bungled away six leads in the first 22 games of the season, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto had good reason to look back on the winter and wonder what he could have done to forestall the relief issues that are likely to haunt them this season. But the Angels GM says he has no regrets about his decision to make only modest changes in the bullpen, signing bargain veterans LaTroy Hawkins and Jason Isringhausen. "What was I going to do? Who was out there?" Dipoto said. "Should we have signed Ryan Madson (who underwent Tommy John surgery in March)? Should we have signed Francisco Cordero? Should we have traded for Andrew Bailey (out with an elbow injury)? That's what happens on the free-agent market with relievers. "Frankly, it's April. There are 30 clubs and truth be told we're not the only one with bullpen issues. ... We just have been in a situation where it's biting us at the wrong time. There's not a lot we can do. We're going to have to Tue, 01 May 2012 14:18:38 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipoto_trying_to_solve_angels_relievers_mystery/10695476 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/dipoto_trying_to_solve_angels_relievers_mystery/10695476 Dipoto trying to solve Angels' relievers mystery http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/dipoto_trying_to_solve_angels_relievers_mystery/10695476 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ANAHEIM, CA-- Growing up in Dodger and Angel territory, I collected baseball cards, ticket stubs, photographs and programs; all the things baseball-crazed youngsters live for. I was a fanatic about the game. But I was never one of the kids who wrote a letter to a player or a GM asking for an autograph or asking a question. Many of my friends did and never saw the card(s) again, or never heard back from the executive. I wanted all my signatures to be in person, where I could meet the person face-to-faceand keep an eye on my prized possession. The one exception was Hank Aaron. During his controversial chase of Babe Ruth's home run record in 1973, I wrote a postcard saying I thought he was a great player and wished him success in his pursuit of the Bambino. (Little did I know, just three years later the prankster Aaron would dump a bucket of water over my head in the Milwaukee Brewers' clubhouse at Anaheim Stadium. A rookie-reporter hazing ritual, I guess.) Aaron responded by sending me a personalize Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:34:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_corresponds_with_fans/9740698 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_corresponds_with_fans/9740698 Angels' GM Jerry Dipoto corresponds with fans http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/angels_gm_jerry_dipoto_corresponds_with_fans/9740698 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The November 3rd, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Jerry DiPoto is more interested in making trades than signing free agents, DiPoto turned down the Baltimore Orioles general manager job before joining the Angels, no Halos won Silver Slugger awards and much more... The Story: Jerry DiPoto strongly suggests that he is going to be more interested in making trades than spending big in free agency. The Monkey Says: This is definitely a much different front office proclamation than the infamous "big splash" promise of last off-season.  It also isn't a big surprise since it is clear that the Angels don't have much money to spend in free agency anyway, so I think this is less about DiPoto promising trades and more about him trying to prep the fans for them to be fairly inactive... Thu, 03 Nov 2011 09:00:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_dipoto_prefers_making_trades_over_signing_free_agents_dipoto_turned_down_the_orioles_gm_job_before_joining_the_angels_no_angels_win_silver_sluggers/7840843 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/halo_headlines_dipoto_prefers_making_trades_over_signing_free_agents_dipoto_turned_down_the_orioles_gm_job_before_joining_the_angels_no_angels_win_silver_sluggers/7840843 Halo Headlines: DiPoto Prefers Making Trades Over Signing Free Agents, DiPoto Turned Down the Orioles GM Job Before Joining the Angels, No Angels Win Silver Sluggers http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/halo_headlines_dipoto_prefers_making_trades_over_signing_free_agents_dipoto_turned_down_the_orioles_gm_job_before_joining_the_angels_no_angels_win_silver_sluggers/7840843 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Jerry Dipoto will be the Los Angeles Angels' new general manager, and an official announcement is expected after the World Series, FOXSports.com has learned. Dipoto, a former relief pitcher in the major leagues, had most recently served as the Arizona Diamondbacks' senior vice president of scouting and player development. Before that he got front-office experience with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox. Dipoto pitched in 390 major league games from 1993 to 2000, spending two seasons each with the Cleveland Indians and New York Mets and four with the Rockies. Dipoto replaces Tony Reagins, who unexpectedly resigned as Angels GM in late September after the team did not make the postseason for the second consecutive year. Reagins, who had served as GM since replacing Bill Stoneman after the 2007 season, remains with the Angels as a special assistant to chairman Dennis Kuhl. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:16:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_hire_dipoto_as_general_manager/7709839 http://network.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/angels_hire_dipoto_as_general_manager/7709839 Angels hire Dipoto as general manager http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/angels_hire_dipoto_as_general_manager/7709839 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png