When the Angels promoted Tony Reagins, a former marketing and advertising sales intern whose only front-office experience was at the minor league level, to general manager last October, the immediate assumption was that Manager Mike Scioscia and owner Arte Moreno would be calling the shots.
While that perception faded during a year in which Reagins has acted swiftly and boldly, it hasn't disappeared entirely.
"It would be fair to say he's not alone in the decision-making process; he definitely has input," said outfielder Garret Anderson, in his 14th year with the Angels. "I know his name is stamped on everything that gets done, but he's not alone. Which is good."
Whether people think he's a puppet or not, Reagins doesn't care.
"It doesn't matter to me, it really doesn't," Reagins said. "What matters is that the product on the field is good and we win games. I can't control what's said about me. I can only do my job to the best of my capabilities and let the chips fall where they may."
Reagins, 40, might be the chips leader among baseball executives this season. After he replaced the highly successful but often gun-shy Bill Stoneman, Reagins' rookie year featured five major moves and non-moves. He was five for five. His most controversial deal was his first, sending veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who batted .301 with 86 RBIs and 101 runs and won a Gold Glove award in 2007, to the White Sox last November for starting pitcher Jon Garland.
Most considered it risky leaving such an important position to a pair of unproven players, but Erick Aybar and Maicer Izturis showed they were more than capable, and Garland, though he faded in September, eased the loss of the injured Kelvim Escobar.
"I know we loved Aybar," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. "Most people in the industry felt like they had the pieces to strengthen one area and add depth in the rotation."
The night before Thanksgiving, Reagins pulled off a major coup, signing free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter to a five-year, $90-million deal.
The Angels probably overpaid for Hunter, who hit .278 with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs, but he provided protection for Vladimir Guerrero, his defense has been superb, and his upbeat personality enlivened the clubhouse.
Reagins had several opportunities to trade Juan Rivera, but his decision to hold on to the reserve outfielder paid huge dividends.
