The Los Angeles Angels aren’t known for their thrifty ways, but they certainly don’t roll with the big-spending elite. Arte Moreno has long kept the team in a middling payroll range, and this year was no exception. The Angels slashed $40 million from their 2023 payroll, hovering just under the luxury-tax line. Much of that reduction came from the departure of superstar Shohei Ohtani and his hefty $30 million paycheck—thanks to his move to the Dodgers!
But here’s the real nightmare: a staggering $75.7 million—almost 44% of their total payroll—was poured into players who were more familiar with the injured list than the field. Arte Moreno didn’t mince words, stating, “It’s a little bit hard to be in a situation where there’s $72-73 million and they give us no production.” And can you blame him? With Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon barely making an impact—appearing in just 29 and 57 games, respectively—the Angels’ payroll strategy seems like a train wreck.
Rendon’s massive $38.5 million salary, paired with Trout’s $37.1 million paycheck, highlights the team’s struggle. These two “superstars” are bleeding Moreno’s wallet dry, and it’s not just a one-time issue. For the past four seasons, both players have seen more time on the sidelines than in the batter’s box. Trout hasn’t played a full season since 2019, leaving the Angels’ lineup—and their playoff hopes—floundering.
Moreno has every reason to be furious, but he’s not sitting idle. The Angels’ owner has hinted at taking a new direction, and you can bet that plan won’t involve throwing money at players who can’t stay on the field. The Angels are at a crossroads—either they fix this injury-plagued payroll disaster, or they risk another season of high hopes and low returns.
