2021 Oakland A’s - $75 million 1st place AL West
3 playoff appearances in the last 3 years
2021 LA Angels - $177 million last place AL West
0 playoff appearances in the last 3 years
Arte is basically outspending the A’s by $100 million to put out a vastly inferior product. He hasn’t been shy about spending money. In fact, in 2004 when he went on a spending spree, he brought in some really good players and the next 6 seasons was arguably an amazing era of Angels’ baseball success.
He continued on with this philosophy of spending money to fix roster issues, and it has netted players who have vastly underperformed. At some point, I’m hoping he learns that his approach isn’t working and will change it. He doesn’t have to go full on A’s Moneyball. But, it’s really frustrating to see a team that is being paid $100 million less having the best record in the American League.