IMO, Trading away someone who is potentially the greatest player of all time for prospects, many of which may never contribute (and we are the Angels so chances are none of them ever contribute lol) is a legacy no one wants.
personally, I know my boys and I would be crushed to see a pop up banner saying the Angels let him go…especially for just prospects.
think of the curse of the Bambino for the Red Sux, the Angels letting Nolan Ryan get away… this would eclipse that
it’s seriously close to a no win scenario for Arte and Perry:
1. you trade him, every angels fan hates you more than most already do, and you probably don’t get what anyone would be happy with. That’s your legacy, no one will ever forgive you.
2. you keep him, he walks in FA, but at least that’s on him and you tried to keep the unicorn, but your legacy is that you let him slip through your fingers.
only way you’re a winner is if he stays with the Angels next year which seems improbable at this point but not impossible
or win the World Series this year…that might help lol