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Angels pursuing Rays’ Andrew Friedman for GM

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Angels owner Arte Moreno has met in Florida with Tampa Bay Rays General Manager Andrew Friedman, the first evidence that the Angels are interested in an experienced general manager.

Although Angels Manager Mike Scioscia would continue to wield significant clout in the organization, the pitching-first philosophy implemented by Scioscia and former Angels GM Bill Stoneman would mesh nicely with the work Friedman has done in Florida, where the Rays have started a home-grown pitcher under 30 for a major league record 764 consecutive games. Mike Butcher, the Angels’ pitching coach, previously served in that position for Friedman and the Rays.

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The Rays have appeared in the playoffs three times in four years, despite the fact that the chronically underfunded team cannot advance into postseason play without beating the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox in the American League East. But, plagued by low attendance and the inability to secure a new ballpark, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said after the season: ‘Eventually, Major League Baseball is going to vaporize this team.’

It is uncertain whether Friedman would leave the Rays, where he and Sternberg are reported to have a relationship so strong that Friedman works without a contract. It also is uncertain whether the Angels might also be interested in Friedman’s veteran assistant, Gerry Hunsicker, the highly successful former GM of the Houston Astros.

The meeting among Friedman, Moreno and Angels President John Carpino was first reported by the website DRaysBay.com.

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