Los Angeles Angels: Billy Eppler is a dead man walking

It is all but given that the Los Angeles Angels will be moving on from Billy Eppler, with Dave Dombrowski already expected to be his replacement.

It has been five years since Billy Eppler took over as the Los Angeles Angels general manager. During that time, the Angels have failed to crack .500, with their best record being 80-82 in 2017 and 2018. With a fifth consecutive losing season assured, and Eppler in the final year of his contract, a change is likely coming.

In fact, that change is essentially a given. The Angels are expected to overhaul their front office yet again, with Dave Dombrowski expected to be handed the reins in the coming weeks.

In the end, Eppler is going to be remembered for wasting Mike Trout‘s prime. Despite having the best player in the game, they were unable to return to the postseason since 2014. A large portion of the blame can be placed on how Eppler, and the Angels in general, were unable to do more than assemble a patchwork pitching staff and hope for the best.

Eppler has also been undone by some bad luck. Signing Shohei Ohtani was considered a coup for the franchise, a middle of the order bat and a potential ace in one. However, he has been unable to stay on the mound, with just two outings in the past two seasons. Tyler Skaggs‘ tragic passing hamstrung the rotation, as have a multitude of injuries.

While Eppler will receive a majority of the blame, Arte Moreno does not exactly have his hands clean. He hamstrung the roster with the contracts given to Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, hindering Eppler’s ability to land top of the rotation arms. And, when he did have a deal in place to add Ross Stripling, Moreno’s impatience scuttled the trade, keeping the Angels from another controllable arm.

But you can’t fire, or easily replace, the owner. Eppler is likely to be the sacrificial lamb as the Angels look to return to relevance. Bringing in Dombrowski, who built winners in Boston, Miami, and Detroit, could be what they need. But Moreno will need to stay out of the way.

Billy Eppler’s time with the Los Angeles Angels is seemingly at an end. With his contract set to expire, and five consecutive losing seasons , he is a dead man walking.