Arte has an answer for your critics.

[Guest]

Not if they're a last place team this year, which is very possible.

Last place is always reserved for Seattle.

[papawealey]

At least there will be selfie-stick night.

[fan_since79]

It's pretty simple actually. Arte got burned twice by giving gazillions of dollars to Albert (until age 41) and Josh, and he doesn't think he can afford another disastrous contract. He probably agrees with Scioscia, who said the other day that the players on the current roster have a lot of talent. The problem is, all or most of that talent has to really produce this year for success to follow, and injuries have to be non-existent or very minimal. That doesn't happen very often in baseball.

 

 

 

 

[bloodbrother]

While the amount of money Arte is willing to spend going forward is important, the biggest factor in regards to the long term health of this franchise is his involvement in player personnel decisions and making some sort of commitment to scouting and player development.  There is no indication that his philosophy on either of those fronts has changed.  We will only know where he stands when we actually do get some financial resources to make that an issue again.   

 

I'm not looking forward to finding that out. His comments continue to show us that he hasn't learned a thing. Takes a lot of effort by those in charge to have a farm system as bad as the one the Angels currently have

[Stradling]

Pretty much what I've been saying. The Cap was a smokescreen.

The Opening day balances were the more accurate 'budget'.

2016 around $172 or $144 if you subtract Hamilton

2015 $146

2014 $154

2013 $137

2012 $151

2011 $141

Of course the bad thing is.

2017 $134 4 players 11 arbitration minimums

2018 $116 4 players 13 arbitration minimums

2019 $110 3 players 11 arbitration minimums

2020 $99 3 players 6 arbitration minimums

So if he is saying that the $140 maybe $150 a year is his budget. We are in for a load of hurt.

So since 2011 the TV revenue has increased by $100 million and the payroll budget has gone up $30 million and he is worried about being profitable? Well, he is either lying (probable) or he is a horrible business man that is spending money on something we have no knowledge of as it relates to the Angels.

[Blarg]

You guys are pretty damn short sighted if you think the roster payroll is a baseball owners only concern.

[Stradling]

Eric it obviously isn't his only concern, however developing an organization that can be self sufficient would be a fantastic place to start if you're unwilling to spend on even mid tier free agents a year after being in it on the last day of the season. This entire off season you've been calling us out for being spoiled or for not seeing the big picture, well there's a reason the best off season grade we've gotten is a D. To me it just felt like they changed course mid off season.

[Justabitoutside]

Several years ago Disney told the city of Anaheim to either fix up the city around Disneyland or we will not put any more money in the park. Look at the area now. Maybe Moreno is trying that move. He doesn't want to spend when he's not even sure where his home will be.

[wopphil]

So since 2011 the TV revenue has increased by $100 million and the payroll budget has gone up $30 million and he is worried about being profitable? Well, he is either lying (probable) or he is a horrible business man that is spending money on something we have no knowledge of as it relates to the Angels.

Not only that, but he doesn't spend much on the international budget or the draft, so as Doc pointed out several weeks ago, the total operating budget is in line with the average team (despite much higher revenues).

[AngelsLakersFan]

It is not possible to avoid investing in a farm system while also limiting yourself to a $150m budget and still expect to win.  

 

The real question is, once the Angels have become perennial cellar dwellers will Arte change his approach?

 

It's interesting to consider that Disney ran the team like a business, and we saw how things were under them. When Moreno took over he spent significantly to reinvest in the product. That combined with a strong system bore a lot of success up through 2009 (the first 6 years Moreno had control of the team). Now we are seeing the downside to the Moreno approach of lavish free agent splashes while trying to remain around a budget.

 

He could not afford to sustain it long term. If he has learned anything I'd expect to see him return back to the 'happy medium' of the Disney model.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Not only that, but he doesn't spend much on the international budget or the draft, so as Doc pointed out several weeks ago, the total operating budget is in line with the average team (despite much higher revenues).

 

He has thrashed all other areas of the organization to prop up the 25 man roster.

 

Baseball ownership is not really a 'for profit' exercise. Owners are typically in it for other reasons. There is a ton of money in the sport though, so there is a lot of room to make money if that is your end goal. The Angels are at a significant competitive disadvantage by having an owner focused on profitability, while some other teams are focused more on winning.

[Pujols4MVP]

It is not possible to avoid investing in a farm system while also limiting yourself to a $150m budget and still expect to win.  

 

The real question is, once the Angels have become perennial cellar dwellers will Arte change his approach?

 

It's interesting to consider that Disney ran the team like a business, and we saw how things were under them. When Moreno took over he spent significantly to reinvest in the product. That combined with a strong system bore a lot of success up through 2009 (the first 6 years Moreno had control of the team). Now we are seeing the downside to the Moreno approach of lavish free agent splashes while trying to remain around a budget.

 

He could not afford to sustain it long term. If he has learned anything I'd expect to see him return back to the 'happy medium' of the Disney model.

 

Or the Disney Model + higher payroll from keeping home grown star players from leaving town (Trout for example).

[Homebrewer]

What happened to the "West Coast Yankees" thing?

Gone the way of affordable beer I guess.

[Stradling]

Or the Disney Model + higher payroll from keeping home grown star players from leaving town (Trout for example).

That's the Dodger method

[Mark68]

Doing the best we can is the slogan for 2016

Yes We Can Do the Best We Can ™

[Mark68]

What happened to the "West Coast Yankees" thing?

Gone the way of affordable beer I guess.

The Yankees didn't exactly spend money this offseason, either.

[rvt]

Arte Moreno is 69 years old.  He's made big capital gains on his ownership of Angels.  We know little or nothing about his family, and ability of his three children to take over the team.  One thought which crosses my mind is he's trying to get a favorable cash flow situation setup for a sale of the team in the next few years.

[Docwaukee]

That's the Dodger method

The dodger method is to spend ungodly amounts of money on the major league club to keep them competitive while they accumulate as much talent as possible into their farm system by spending ungodly amounts of money to do so.  

 

They have done almost the complete opposite of what the halos have done.   They have used their tremendous financial resources to preserve their farm and they have invested massive amounts of money into the international markets.  

 

Outside of Kershaw, I feel like the vast majority of their major league club isn't overly impressive, but their collection of young players is a sight to behold.  

 

we need to lock up Trout beyond 2020 because you know they are gonna make a run at him.  

[Second Base]

The smartest thing the Dodgers did, was spend unGodly amounts of money in Andrew Friedman.

[TroutCron]

The money that he is giving to Trout is not a guarantee. No player signed guarantees a winner. After all these years has Arte finally decided that spending doesn't equal winning. Spending in the right places, especially in scouting and Developnent, gives you a better chance to win. Being involved in the foreign markets gives you a better chance to win. Paying huge sums to players who already peaked doesn't necessarily increase your chance of winning.

Edited February 20, 2016 by TroutCron

[tdawg87]

All I know is Arte is a buttface and I hope somebody paints a giant penis on his yacht.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Outside of Kershaw, I feel like the vast majority of their major league club isn't overly impressive, but their collection of young players is a sight to behold.  

 

They are set up to be good for a very long time - unlike their neighbors to the south, who seem inclined to spend money on neither the big league club nor the farm. As long as Albert gets paid and people keep buying tickets, it's all good.

Edited February 20, 2016 by Vegas Halo Fan

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Spending in the right places, especially in scouting and Developnent, gives you a better chance to win. Being involved in the foreign markets gives you a better chance to win.

 

None of which we are doing.

[Angel Oracle]

I get the return on investment.

And I get making smart signings.

But does he NOT consider the farm system a wise investment long term?

[Angel Oracle]

Arte Moreno is 69 years old. He's made big capital gains on his ownership of Angels. We know little or nothing about his family, and ability of his three children to take over the team. One thought which crosses my mind is he's trying to get a favorable cash flow situation setup for a sale of the team in the next few years.

He's acting like an owner getting ready to sell.

Not spending on upgrades OR a farm system!

If that's how you are going to act, then SELL!

By the way, how can your budget be only $150 million per year, when the TV contract per year alone equals that (20 years/$3 billion)????

Tickets have to bring in a good $60-70 million extra????

Edited February 20, 2016 by Angel Oracle