Mike Scioscia denies report that he plans to step down as Angels manager

Longtime Angels manager Mike Scioscia denied a report that he’s planning to step down from the position at the end of the 2018 season. He’s served the same role in the team’s dugout since 1999, the longest tenure for a manager with one team since Bobby Cox’s 21-year run with the Braves.

“Nothing has changed since we talked last October,” Scioscia said Sunday morning, via the OC Register. “That’s the best way I can put it. There’s always chatter out there. The only word I have is poppycock. That’s all it is.”

The Athletic reported Saturday night that Scioscia, who turns 60 in late November, planned to part ways with the Angels at the end of the season. He only has a couple months remaining on the 10-year, $50 million deal he signed a decade ago and hasn’t negotiated a new pact to stay in Anaheim.

However, Scioscia said he still loves managing and that the report of his impending departure is “just chatter.”

The Angels have had a lot of success under Scioscia, including six division titles and a World Series victory in 2002. However, they haven’t reached the playoffs since 2014 or won a playoff series since 2009 despite having outfielder Mike Trout, who has been the best player in baseball since making his debut in 2012.

The addition of two-way star Shohei Ohtani was part of an active offseason to try to get the Angels back to contention this year, but they’re 15.5 games behind the Astros with a 55-57 record.

The Athletic reported that former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus and former A’s third baseman Eric Chávez would be among the candidates who could replace Scioscia. Ausmus and Chavez currently work with the Angels as special assistants to general manager Billy Eppler.