Insider Explains Shohei Ohtani Sized Reason for Angels Waiving 6 Starters

Are the Angels actually making moves for the future?

When the Los Angeles Angels announced on Tuesday that they were going to put most of the players that they acquired at the trade deadline on waivers, it caused much confusion across the league. The franchise seemingly is waving the white flag on the season, but this is a move that you normally don’t see.

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Angels have placed starter Lucas Giolito, relievers Matt Moore and Reynaldo López, and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk on waivers, sources tell ESPN. Huge potential playoff implications: All can be claimed by teams for free on Thursday.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 29, 2023

However, it’s all about salary relief for the team and avoiding any taxes that come with fielding a heavy salaried roster. It’s always about the money when teams make moves like this, but it’s still surprising to see, to say the least.

“They are thinking of taxes, and specifically of avoiding them. When the Angels went all in way back in the last week of July, it pushed their team payroll into the first tier of the competitive balance tax (CBT). Shedding some salary would drop them below the $233 million CBT threshold and avoid any associated taxes, penalties and ire from smaller-payroll owners.”

Per Rustin Dodd and Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic

This decision from the Angels also has something to do with the impending free agency of Shohei Ohtani, as Rustin Dodd and Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic explain. They know that they will need to pay him a historic amount of money if they are to retain him, so any savings they can have on taxes will help their cause.

“And they are thinking about positioning themselves for the inevitability of Shohei Ohtani reaching free agency. If Ohtani declines the Angels’ qualifying offer this fall — which he will — and they are above the first CBT threshold, the compensation pick they receive will come after the fourth round. If they drop below the threshold, however, the compensation pick would come after Comp Round B, following the second round. That is no small matter. In this year’s draft, those two draft positions were between 60 and 70 picks apart.”

Per Rustin Dodd and Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic

The Angels realize that their chances of reaching the postseason are slim to none. Especially with the UCL tear that Ohtani suffered recently, they are looking ahead to the future.

Getting a good draft pick could help the team fast-track themselves toward contention. 

For the first time in a long time, the Angels are prioritizing their long-term success. So while this move is very odd, it should be seen with rose-colored glasses by the fans.

While the franchise is currently in a tough spot, this could end up helping them down the line. Even if they don’t end up re-signing Ohtani this winter.