Angels add Chris Gwynn to long list of general manager candidates

The Angels interviewed Seattle Mariners farm director Chris Gwynn, the younger brother of Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn, for their general manager job over the weekend, bringing to nine the number of candidates known to have interviewed for the position vacated by Jerry Dipoto on July 1.

One of those candidates, Mike Hazen, was promoted from assistant GM to GM by the Boston Red Sox last week, and another, New York Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler, considered by many to be the front-runner for the Angels job, is a finalist along with Dipoto for the Mariners GM job.

The Angels are expected to make a decision by next week, after the end of the regular season.

Gwynn, 51, is a 10-year major league veteran who spent 12 years working in the San Diego Padres’ scouting department, including his last two seasons as player personnel director, before moving to Seattle after the 2011 season.

A former first-round pick of the Dodgers in 1985, Gwynn was a teammate of current Angels Manager and former Dodgers catcher Mike Scioscia from 1987-91. The Angels also drafted Gwynn out of Long Beach Poly High School in the third round in 1982 but were unable to sign him.

Gwynn joins a lengthy list of finalists for the Angels GM job that includes in-house candidates Matt Klentak and Scott Servais, both assistant GMs, and Angels pro scouting director Hal Morris.

The other outside candidates are Dodgers senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes, the only finalist with previous GM experience; Toronto assistant GM Tony LaCava; and Cleveland vice president of player personnel Ross Atkins.