The Los Angeles Angels have struggled through 10 straight losing seasons and have not appeared in the playoffs since 2014. In a recent interview with reporters on Friday, Angels owner Arte Moreno said fans often prioritize affordability and safety over winning when it comes to supporting the franchise.
“The number one thing fans want is affordability,” Moreno said, citing Angels survey results, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. “They want affordability. They want safety, and they want a good experience when they come to the ballpark.
“Believe it or not, winning is not in their top five,” Moreno added.
Moreno said that he wants to win but has to consider how much winning will cost. As a result, the Angels have not been big spenders this offseason.
Los Angeles decreased its payroll from approximately $206 million in 2025 to about $155 million in 2026, according to FanGraphs. The Angels lost its television deal with Main Street Sports Group in January, and Moreno said the loss of revenue is a reason for the franchise’s lack of spending this offseason.
The Angels’ minimal spending is even more concerning considering crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have the highest payroll ($395 million) in MLB. Both teams are in a major markets but have followed different spending patterns.
Angels Players “Took Notice” of Moreno’s Comments
MLBPA head Bruce Meyer reportedly spoke to Angels players on Sunday. Meyer told The Athletic’s Sam Blum that the club’s players were not satisfied with Moreno’s comments about winning not being a priority.
“Let’s just say players took notice of it,” Meyer said to Blum. “And we took notice of it, too. The bottom line is players are competitors. They grew up competing every day. They go out, and they try their hardest to win every game. And players want to see owners doing the same thing.”
The Angels’ spending patterns likely will not change until the franchise’s ownership does. MLB’s luxury tax threshold is $244 million for the 2026 season, and the Halos have not passed the threshold since 2003 when Moreno became the team’s owner, according to Blum.
Moreno was believed to be selling the Angels after the 2022 season but he ultimately decided to stick with the franchise.
Photo Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
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