Angels begin to narrow field in GM search; Evans added to field

Former Dodgers Assistant General Manager Kim Ng is interviewing for the Angels GM job Wednesday, former Dodgers GM Dan Evans will interview for the position Thursday or Friday, and the Angels are expected to receive permission to interview Texas Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine after the World Series is over.

But the team has already begun to narrow the field for Tony Reagins' replacement. New York Yankees executive Damon Oppenheimer, who was interviewed last week in Florida, has been told he is no longer in the running for the job, according to people familiar with the team's GM search who are not authorized to speak publicly on the topic.

Oppenheimer, a 48-year-old Southern California native, is the Yankees' vice president of amateur scouting and has been credited with turning around the team’s minor-league system, one which was considered among the worst in the majors less than a decade ago. The Angels also interviewed Billy Eppler, the Yankees' 36-year-old senior director of pro personnel. Eppler has reportedly been called back for a second interview.

Tampa Bay GM Andrew Friedman appears to be the leading candidate, and as of Tuesday night, the 34-year-old had not pulled himself out of the running. But Friedman is extremely loyal to Rays owner Stuart Sternberg, and the Angels do not seem to have much confidence that they can lure him to Anaheim.

Angels owner Arte Moreno and team President John Carpino flew to Florida to meet with Friedman last week. In addition to Friedman and Eppler, the Angels have formally interviewed Jerry Dipoto, Arizona's senior vice president for scouting and player development; Chicago White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn; and former New York Mets GM Omar Minaya.

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-- Mike DiGiovanna

Photo: Kim Ng. Credit: John Raoux / Associated Press.