Angels Owner Arte Moreno Leaves Door Open on Potential Sale: ‘I’m a Business Person’
Angels owner Arte Moreno gave an exclusive interview to Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group on Wednesday. Their discussion veered to the topic of whether or not Moreno would potentially sell the team.
In Aug. 2022, Moreno announced he would explore the sale of the Angels. Then a few months later, in Jan. 2023, he surprisingly took them off the market.
On Wednesday, Moreno answered questions about a potential future sale, and made his intentions clear, stating he wants to be in charge of the Halos "long term."
However, Moreno did admit it's possible someone could make him an offer that convinces him to sell the team.
For reference, when the Halos were on the market, Moreno turned down multiple offers of more than $2.4 billion, including one that was reportedly more than $3 billion. The Baltimore Orioles recently sold for $1.725 billion.
“I’m a business person,” Moreno said to Fletcher. “If someone gets really stupid, then you have to go.”
It's unclear what "really stupid" would mean, but based on the previous reported offers, it would likely have to exceed $3 billion.
Absent such an offer, Moreno will stay with the Angels, despite the growing sentiment among fans that he should sell the team.
Why Won't Arte Moreno Sell the Angels?
Moreno had a simple answer to Fletcher about why he won't sell the team.
“I am in it because I believe we can build a team to win,” Moreno said.
As of now, the Angels are projected to finish fourth in the American League West behind the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners.
They've been linked to top free agents such as 2019 National League Most Valuable Player Cody Bellinger and reigning Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Moreno is unwilling or unable to sign the latter.
At this point in the offseason, the Angels have made only a few bullpen upgrades, but haven't done anything to replace the loss of Shohei Ohtani in the lineup or in the rotation.
General manager Perry Minasian made it clear this week that the team wants to contend this year. But the team has done little to address the talent it lost since the end of last season. In the meantime, it isn't obvious how Moreno derives his belief in the Angels' ability to contend.
Why Do Fans Want Arte Moreno to Sell?
The Halos have made the playoffs just once in the last decade. Their last postseason win was in 2009. Moreno has shelled out large contracts that didn't pan out, while failing to develop the homegrown talent needed to paper over the free-agent blunders.
As of this year's rankings, the Halos have only one consensus top-100 prospect, Nolan Schanuel. ESPN.com ranks their farm system 30th out of the 30 MLB teams. In 2022, the Southern California News Group authored a three-part series exploring the team's perennial player development problems.
For all of Moreno's free agent investments, and his willingness to re-sign Trout to a then-record contract, his track record for developing players has given fans little hope for the future.
