Angels News: NL Executive Says Everyone Should Be Rooting for Halos to Succeed
You know the story by now.
The Los Angeles Angels were approaching MLB's August 1 trade deadline with a significant decision to make -- a decision that could very well alter the future of their franchise.
After a sudden winning run that say them jump to within three games of a playoff spot, the Angels had to decide whether to make a run at breaking a nine-year playoff drought or trade arguably the best player in baseball history in two-way icon -- and impending free agent -- Shohei Ohtani.
The Halos not only opted to hold onto Ohtani, passing up what surely would be one of the biggest returns in the sport's history, but they added impactful pieces around him, notably in starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez.
Deciding to hang onto their superstar and adding Giolito was a clear sign that the Angels intended to go all-in on putting an end to their almost decade-long Octoberless spell.
And an anonymous National League executive told The Athletic's Jayson Stark that everyone should be rooting for the Angels to succeed, for the betterment of the game.
“As an industry, we should all be rooting for them — because it’s an industry travesty that the best player of all time has never played in a playoff game. It’s a travesty. And it’s so bad for the sport that they can’t be good around this guy. So yes, we should all be rooting for them. And the other thing is, I root for the buyers, always — because I just feel like, if you’re willing to stick your neck out there and try to win, that’s great.”
The Angels took a monumental risk by keeping Ohtani in the fold past the trade deadline. But their decision to hang onto the icon may just pay off to the tune of great rewards both on and off the field.
For now, the Halos objective is clear. Win and win now. And if they do that, they may just find themselves re-signing their generational talent to a deal that sees him stay with the franchise for the rest of his career.
