Ryan Johnson's pro career is very indicative of Angels chaotic/desperate PD structure.
• Starts in MLB as leverage reliever. No MiLB time.
• Optioned to Hi-A
• Back in MLB as starter
• Injured
• Mop up MLB long-man
• Starter in Double-A
All in span of 13 months.
The kicker is Arte Moreno saying he knew they wouldn’t resign him but didn’t want to take the loss of fans not coming to the ball park for $. Then going “all in” at the time trading what little prospects they had just to cut them all a month later to try to avoid the luxury tax
We all knew the Angels NOT trading Shohei Ohtani was a mistake.
But now seeing that there was an offer ON THE TABLE to net Junior Caminero (45 homers at 21 years old) and other prospects just makes it that much worse.
Rejected an offer to turn the franchise around to chase a <5% chance of making the playoffs.
And then in the offseason Shohei asked the Angels if they would match the Dodgers offer and they wouldn’t.
So in the end they finished 73-89 and lost him in Free Agency to the Dodgers for nothing but a draft pick.
I can’t even begin to explain what a horrible business decision that was and it will haunt the organization for decades.
@barstoolsports Funniest part about this is the Angels went the opposite direction trading for multiple players because Arte Moreno wouldn’t trade Shohei bc sales would go down only to cut everyone a month later to try to stay under the luxury tax. #SellTheTeam