The California Los Angeles Angels of Orange county and Rancho Cucamonga may be up for sale according to Arte Moreno, their owner of 20 years said in a statement released by his team today.
Today, Angels Baseball announced that the Organization has initiated a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the team. pic.twitter.com/ZdQb34V4Ns — Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 23, 2022
Moreno bought the club in 2003 for a bargain price of $184 million from The Walt Disney Company. The Angels are now with an estimated 2 Billion. Under Moreno the Angels have won six division titles since he bought the club, the last one coming 2014. Moreno’s Halo’s haven’t had a winning record since 2015. That’s the longest streak in MLB.
The Angels have been perpetual losers for years with Arte Moreno owning the team. They haven’t had a winning season since 2015 & have 0 playoff wins 2009. The criticism has been warranted. A new owner could change lots of things. Payroll/strategy among the most significant. — Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) August 23, 2022
Despite having superstars such as Albert Pujols, Mike Trout, and Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have not been able to get above .500 in almost a decade. This is a franchise with a lot of pride. Taking home the AL west title from 2004 through 2009 with the exception of 06. They also won the west in the aforementioned 14’. Not to mention a World Series in 2002.
Not for a lack of trying
Moreno has never been tight with the purse strings. Spending large whenever he had the chance. Like with Pujols the Angels have spent big on guys like C.J Wilson , Josh Hamilton, Vernon Wells and the latest Anthony Rendon. While it might be cold blooded to toss Mike Trout in this mix, injuries have kept him from living up to his 12 year 426 million dollar deal he inked in 2019.
The fallout from Arte Moreno selling the Angels would be monumental. 1) Opens the door to a Shohei Ohtani trade — or record-setting extension. 2) With enormous revenues, Angels still have never had a payroll over $183M. That'll change. 3) MLB's most hands-on owner is gone. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 23, 2022
The real issue
If it isn’t for a lack of spending what has kept the Angels out of the playoffs and for years under .500 ? they can’t develop pitching. John Lackey and Jared Weaver were the last true arms this team developed. Okay Ervin Santana had two or three good years.
Angel fans right now… pic.twitter.com/qReQbkXfRt — Soto ⚾️ (@SotoP_23) August 23, 2022
The fans of the Angels may be celebrating this news. After all we live in a what have you done for me lately world. In its ten trips to the postseason 7 of those trips came under Moreno. Who by the way is the only owner in MLB who is also a Person of Color.
As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207