Kevin Pillar has called for Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno to put the team up for sale immediately, following Moreno’s recent comments emphasizing fan interest in affordable tickets over winning. Pillar, a former MLB outfielder who played with the Angels during part of the 2024 season, voiced his frustration amid growing criticism of Moreno’s stewardship in Anaheim.
Kevin Pillar Voices Criticism of Arte Moreno’s Ownership
Shortly after Arte Moreno stated that affordability ranked higher than winning in fan priorities, Kevin Pillar openly challenged the owner’s commitment to success. Speaking on the Foul Territory podcast, Pillar said,
“He doesn’t realize what he has, because if he really cared about winning, it would be such a destination for players to want to come and play.”
He added emphatically,
“He needs to get rid of the team, because he really doesn’t care about the Angels.”
Pillar’s remarks echo a growing discontent among fans and analysts about the team’s direction under Moreno.
“He just needs to get rid of the team because he really doesn’t really care about, you know, the Angels and, obviously, franchise values are going way up again,”
he stated.
Pillar also expressed hope that a new owner could swiftly emerge.
“[Moreno] said he wasn’t actively shopping [the Angels], but I think there’s a lot of people interested in buying. So hopefully someone just kind of blows them away with an offer here soon, and we could kind of move past the story.”
Owner Arte Moreno Prioritizes Affordability, Not Winning
Moreno spoke with reporters on Friday, revealing that an internal team survey found the
“number one thing fans want is affordability”
and that
“winning is not in their top five.”
He highlighted that many attending baseball games are “moms,” who factor affordability heavily into their decisions.
Explaining further, Moreno said,
“Moms make about 80 percent of the decisions. They want to be able to bring their kids and be affordable, and they want safety, and they want to have a good experience, so they get all the entertainment stuff or whatever. The purists, you know, it’s just straight winning.”
MLB Players Union Responds to Moreno’s Comments
Moreno’s stance drew criticism not only from former players but also from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Bruce Meyer, the new interim executive director of the players union, conveyed to The Athletic that the union and players took notice of Moreno’s remarks.
“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,”
Meyer remarked.
Angels’ Performance Under Moreno’s Tenure
Since purchasing the Angels in May 2003, only months following their 2002 World Series title, Moreno’s team has struggled to maintain consistent success. The Angels made the playoffs five times in the seven seasons following his acquisition but have made just one postseason appearance since 2010 despite having superstar talents such as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Albert Pujols.
The franchise has endured a decade of losing records, finishing below .500 for 10 consecutive seasons. Despite investing heavily in free-agent contracts over the years, Moreno recently reduced the team’s payroll to roughly $155 million, partly due to a lost local television deal. This payroll figure also includes deferred payments to injured third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Regarding future spending, Moreno said,
“Will [payroll] get back to $200 million? Probably. We’ve got to get our TV thing worked out, and we just have to improve our brand.”
Moreno’s Prior Exploration of Selling the Angels
In August 2022, Moreno initiated a sales process for the Angels but called it off months later, citing “unfinished business.” Despite that, the current atmosphere and public demands, including those voiced by Pillar and union officials, suggest that the idea of a change in ownership could resurface amid the mounting frustration.
What the Future Holds for the Angels and Anaheim
The tensions surrounding ownership and team performance highlight a critical juncture for the Angels franchise. Kevin Pillar’s plea for Moreno to sell indicates deep concerns about the team’s commitment to winning and its status as a destination for elite players. Meanwhile, the owner’s focus on affordability underlines a disconnect between player ambitions and fan affordability preferences, as interpreted by Moreno.
The ongoing debate over team priorities and ownership direction will likely shape the Angels’ path forward. Potential offers from interested buyers could provoke a significant shift in Anaheim, potentially reinvigorating a franchise that has struggled to replicate past success despite a roster featuring some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars.
"He needs to get rid of the team, because he really doesn't care about the Angels."
If Arte Moreno truly prioritized winning, Anaheim would be a destination franchise, says @KPillar4. pic.twitter.com/7axAX8ywJc
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 21, 2026
