Multiple industry sources have confirmed that the Angels have declined to renew the contract of Eddie Bane as the organization's director of amateur scouting. The Angels also let go three area scouts: South Florida's Bart Braun Jr., Alabama-based Jim "Bear" Bryant and Four Corners veteran Jeff Scholzen.

Bane, 58, has been the Angels' scouting director since the fall of 2003, running his first draft in 2004. His contributions are all over Los Angeles' roster, including ace righthander Jered Weaver, his first first-round pick, who signed for $4 million after a lengthy holdout. Several other Bane draftees broke into the majors this season, including center fielder Peter Bourjos, catcher Hank Conger (a 2006 first-rounder) and reliever Jordan Walden.

Scouts outside the organization said Bane's dismissal came as a surprise considering Angels outfielder Mike Trout is on the short list of players considered as the game's top prospect. Bane and the Angels snagged Trout with the 25th overall pick in 2009, signing him for a slot bonus of $1.215 million.

Bane and Angels general manager Tony Reagins had yet to return phone messages left for them Wednesday. Sources inside and outside the organization, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated tensions between the two had increased over the last year or two.

"The way the year developed," one scout said, "with Trout and the guys they broke into the big leagues, I thought Eddie would be OK."

Last month, Bane interviewed for the Diamondbacks' GM job, which ultimately went to Kevin Towers.