The Los Angeles Angels didn't do much of note in 2023 on the field. They finished 73-89 — fourth place in the American League West and a mile's distance from playoff contention. It's how they got there that is noteworthy, even newsworthy a year later.
The Angels were 56-51 at the end of July and loaded up at the trade deadline. They acquired pitchers Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Dominic Leone, outfielder Randal Grichuk, first baseman/designated hitter C.J.
Cron, and infielders Mike Moustakas and Eduardo Escobar in separate trades. The trades had the opposite of the desired effect. The Angels went on a seven-game losing streak to begin the month of August.
By Aug. 11, they had fallen below .500, never to recover.
Their dream of reaching the postseason with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani at last was over. Once their fate was all but mathematically sealed, the Angels engaged in a massive, unprecedented salary dump. Giolito, Lopez, Leone, pitcher Matt Moore, and outfielder Hunter Renfroe were all placed on waivers and eventually claimed by contending teams.
Other players were placed on waivers but went unclaimed. It was not a good look for the Angels, as their fans were forced to slog through an uninspiring September so soon after their playoff hopes were raised. At least the salary dump achieved its desired effect: the Angels were able to avoid paying a luxury tax, something that has become a priority during Arte Moreno's tenure as the team's owner.
Flash forward, and the Texa.