John Mozeliak, the Los Angeles Angels' interim general manager, has stated that rebuilding the franchise will require patience, likening the process to a marathon rather than a sprint.
Mozeliak, who stepped into the interim role following the dismissal of Perry Minasian on Friday, shared his perspective during the Angels' 5-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night. He appeared on the team's broadcast and discussed the necessary steps to improve the organization, from the major league level down to the minor league system.
"The tough part is being patient," Mozeliak said. "Because it’s not a light switch, you can’t just automatically become great at scouting and developing players."
The Angels have struggled for over a decade, failing to reach the postseason and consistently possessing one of the weakest farm systems in Major League Baseball. This period of underperformance has persisted even during eras when the team featured prominent stars like Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani.
With Pujols now retired and Ohtani having moved on to win championships with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels currently reside in last place in the American League West and continue to grapple with a depleted minor league system.
Mozeliak indicated that success hinges on adopting the operational strategies of admired major league teams. "If you know people that know me, or how I think about management or leadership, it is about creative autonomy," he stated. "Letting the people that are supposed to be doing these jobs do it."
He stressed the importance of allowing scouting directors to perform their duties and confirmed his availability to assist with the upcoming draft. While admitting he had not been actively scouting during the spring, Mozeliak emphasized his understanding of the evaluation process.
Concluding his remarks, Mozeliak called for a comprehensive self-assessment within the Angels organization. "It’s not to say everything they do is wrong, it’s not to say that there is no chance or opportunity [to win] games. So that’s the patient part," he said. "So, I really look forward to that challenge, getting to know all the people that work here for the Angels, and I know that this is a special place. Therefore, I know I want to get it right."