Manager Phil Nevin shares his take on Art Moreno's move to keep the Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin has expressed his happiness at Arte Moreno's decision to continue as club owner.
On Jan 24, the Los Angeles Angels Twitter page shared a statement from the Moreno family, announcing their intention to not sell the team he has owned for 20 years.
Speaking to Jenny Cavnar on MLB Network's Unassisted podcast, Nevin said:
“We’re all happy that Arte’s keeping the club. He’s been a good owner. You can ask any of these players if they’ve enjoyed playing for him. He’s spent money. He’s brought in the big fish over the last several years he’s owned the team, and this year we kinda went about it a little bit different and used the money in a lot of different areas.
"We’ve been fortunate enough to have him fuel us with that if you will. So we’re excited about it. I know Arte is too. We’ve spoke a couple times and he’s excited to get to spring training and get all of this started. I’m excited he’s decided to keep the team and keep making us better.”
Arte Moreno purchased the Los Angeles Angels for $180 million in 2002 after their World Series win. However, the performance under his ownership has been quite underwhelming. The Halos have never made it past the ALCS since 2002 and the last time they were in the postseason was back in 2014.
While it was strongly speculated that the franchise would be sold for a figure over $3 billion, the Moreno family pulled the plug on the process, claiming "unfinished business" as the club's custodians.
Today, the #Angels announced that the Moreno Family is ending the exploratory process to sell the team and will continue ownership throughout the 2023 Season and beyond. https://t.co/aokYfba1Dp
Shohei Ohtani's last season for the Los Angeles Angels?
Moreno's decision to hold on to the club is believed to have jeopardized Los Angeles Angels' chances of retaining star player Shohei Ohtani.
"Arte Moreno calling off the sale of the Angels has made it more unlikely Ohtani stays in Anaheim beyond 2023.
'Steve Cohen has already been talking openly to upper level Mets people about going after Ohtani next winter” per @Martinonyc . Dodgers, Yankees, others will be in mix.'" - Starting 9
Arte Moreno calling off the sale of the Angels has made it more unlikely Ohtani stays in Anaheim beyond 2023.
“Steve Cohen has already been talking openly to upper level Mets people about going after Ohtani next winter” per @Martinonyc
Dodgers, Yankees, others will be in mix https://t.co/AjMgXxvYfD
Ohtani, who becomes a free agent at the end of next season, is set to be at the center of a mega transfer tug-of-war. The likes of the Steve Cohen-owned New York Mets, among other teams, will do everything in their power to rope in the Angels' two-way superstar.