In L.A., Mike DiGiovanna reports the Angels this week "broadened their search" for a GM, with team President John Carpino traveling to N.Y., Boston, Toronto and Cleveland to interview Yankees Assistant GM Billy Eppler, Red Sox Assistant GM Mike Hazen, Blue Jays Assistant GM Tony LaCava and Indians VP/Player Personnel Ross Atkins. Carpino "has also interviewed" Angels Pro Scouting Dir Hal Morris, "bringing to seven the number of known candidates" (L.A. TIMES, 9/15).
BIG & BRIGHT: In Ft. Worth, Mac Engel writes Rangers President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels "deserves ample credit for nailing" the hire of manager Jeff Banister, who "should win" AL Manager of the Year. Daniels gave Bannister "more to work with, and the starting pitchers began to return from the disabled list." The front office "opened the vault to bring in a stud ace" in P Cole Hamels. Now the Rangers "are legit playoff contenders" and it "would be nice if a few more fans showed up at the yard to notice" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/16).
LADY LIONESS: In London, Caitlin Murray cited sources as saying that the NWSL "is expected to name Orlando City SC as an expansion team" for the '16 season. NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush declined to confirm the expansion candidates, but said that club owners "will discuss expansion at their next meeting at the league championship" Oct. 1 in Portland. Sources said that Orlando City is "looking at having a women’s team share the same venue with the MLS side once their new stadium opens" (THEGUARDIAN.com, 9/14). In Orlando, Iliana Limon Romero notes Orlando City has "declined to confirm the timeline" for adding a women's team (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 9/14).
