Bill Stoneman steps down

UPDATE: In the comments, this post has evolved into a discussion of sorts between me, Ben and Larry Brown of Larry Brown Sports. Check it out in the comments. And feel free to add your own thoughts if you have them.

Angels’ general manager Bill Stoneman is reportedly going to step down today.

Angel fans knew this was going to come in the near future, Stoneman is 62. But I certainly didn’t expect it to happen now.

Stoneman never got the attention some of the other top general managers got, but he certainly was one of the better GMs in baseball. Since Stoneman was hired as GM in 2000, the Angels went on their best era in franchise history — four playoff appearances and a World Series title in eight innings.

Stoneman was often criticized for not pulling the trigger on a major deal that would give the Angels a big bat. But look at what Stoneman did do:

His teams always had depth on the bench.
His teams always had depth in the pitching rotation.
His teams always had depth in the bullpen.
His teams always had a good farm system.