Arte Moreno Should Sell the Los Angeles Angels Now

Arte Moreno’s Angels Era: From Fan Favorite to Frustration, What’s Next for the Halos?

This article looks at the wild ride of Arte Moreno’s ownership of the Los Angeles Angels. He started out as a fan favorite, but years of frustrating seasons have left many fans disillusioned.

We’ll dig into the choices—on and off the field—that have shaped the team’s path. And, honestly, there’s a growing chorus asking for new ownership to breathe life into a team that once seemed destined for greatness.

The Golden Age Fades: Early Success and Growing Pains

When Arte Moreno bought the Angels 23 years ago, fans were thrilled. He seemed approachable, made a point to connect with supporters, and openly celebrated his Mexican-American roots.

One of his first big moves? He lowered beer prices. That simple gesture made people feel heard.

In those early years, the team actually delivered. The Angels racked up five American League West titles in seven seasons. It felt like the good times would last forever.

But then the momentum fizzled. The team missed the playoffs for 11 straight years and racked up 10 losing seasons in a row. Fans started to lose patience, and the early excitement faded.

Strategic Stumbles and Squandered Potential

Why did things fall apart? It’s complicated, but a lot comes down to decisions made at the top.

Moreno got more involved in baseball operations, and the front office seemed to be in constant flux. That kind of instability rarely leads to winning.

He also chased big-name free agents—Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Vernon Wells—hoping they’d be game-changers. The signings brought hype, but they didn’t deliver long-term success or playoff runs.

The Shohei Ohtani saga really stings. Instead of trading him at the deadline for prospects, Moreno gambled on re-signing him in free agency. Ohtani walked, and the Angels got nothing back—not even a single prospect to help rebuild. The fact that Ohtani and Mike Trout never made a postseason run together is a tough pill to swallow.

Reputational Scars and Fan Fallout

Off the field, things haven’t looked much better. The tragic overdose of Tyler Skaggs in 2019 and the lawsuit that followed left the franchise reeling. Jurors suggested the team was partly to blame, and even after a settlement, the damage lingered.

Moreno didn’t help matters when he implied that winning wasn’t the top priority for fans. The team tried to walk it back, saying he meant fans care about things like affordability and the ballpark experience. Still, the comment rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.

Even the ballpark, usually a bright spot with its easy parking and decent food, hasn’t escaped criticism. A rodent problem made headlines recently. It just added to the sense that standards are slipping and the franchise is drifting.

A Call for Change: The Case for Selling

The franchise’s value has soared. Moreno bought the team for $183 million, and now it’s reportedly worth around $2.75 billion.

Plenty of people are now calling for a sale. They believe selling would solve several problems at once.

Moreno could cash out with a massive profit. That alone is tempting.

He’d also escape the growing frustration and criticism from fans. The atmosphere around the team isn’t exactly friendly these days.

Many argue that the Angels desperately need new ownership. They want someone committed to restoring competitiveness and building a real winning culture.

A fresh start seems like the only way forward for this franchise. Maybe that’s just wishful thinking, but at this point, what else is left to try?
 
Here is the source article for this story: Memo to Arte Moreno: Sell your fallen Angels