Angels Fire Perry Minasian and Name John Mozeliak Interim General Manager

John Mozeliak was named interim general manager of the Los Angeles Angels after the team fired Perry Minasian, ESPN reported. Mozeliak held a news conference before Saturday night's game against the Athletics in Anaheim, California. Mozeliak said he met with manager Kurt Suzuki and most of the coaches that morning.

He told them they are all fine for this year and have jobs moving forward. There is no reason for massive change right away regarding the manager and coaching staff, he added. The Angels entered Saturday with a 34-39 record, the worst in the American League, and have suffered 10 straight losing seasons.

Mozeliak described a short view that includes the draft, the trade deadline, and finding a new general manager. Mozeliak will have a limited role in the July 11-12 draft, where the Angels hold the 12th overall pick. Scouting director Tim McIlvaine will lead the selections.

Mozeliak said he never scouted amateur players during his 18 years as a GM with the Cardinals and that his only input will be understanding the scouting process and financial decisions. Mozeliak has not received direction from owner Arte Moreno or president Molly Jolly on whether to trade Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano, or Jo Adell.

USA Today reported last week that Moreno prefers to retain those players.

Mozeliak said he will help execute a trade-deadline strategy agreed upon by ownership and Jolly. Mozeliak has already formed a list of GM candidates and will begin seeking permission from teams to interview them after the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

His contract as interim GM expires in December. Louis Cardinals, including 18 seasons leading baseball operations. Under his leadership, the Cardinals reached the postseason 10 times, won six NL Central titles, two NL pennants, and the 2011 World Series.

He joined the Cardinals in 1996 as an assistant in the scouting department.