ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 25: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno looks on before a preseason MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on September 21, 2017 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Angels are on the brink of a transformative chapter as longtime owner Arte Moreno has agreed to sell the franchise to Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams. This sale, valued at an unprecedented $4 billion, marks a significant shift for the Angels, who have faced numerous challenges both on and off the field during Moreno's ownership.
According to reports from ESPN, the sale not only sets a new record for Major League Baseball transactions, surpassing the previous high of $3.9 billion set earlier this year by the San Diego Padres, but it also signals a potential change in the Angels' approach to building a competitive team. Kroenke's established connections within the Los Angeles sports landscape suggest that he may pursue more aggressive strategies in enhancing the team's roster.
As the Angels prepare for this new ownership era, they are simultaneously making critical roster decisions to navigate the remainder of the season. One of the first moves following the announcement of the sale involves veteran pitcher Shaun Anderson, who has opted to become a free agent rather than accept a designation for assignment from the team.
Anderson's decision comes just a day after the news of the $4 billion sale broke. The 31-year-old right-hander has had a tumultuous season, struggling significantly on the mound. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, he has pitched 31 and one-third innings for the Angels, amassing a troubling earned run average (ERA) close to 9.00 and allowing 10 home runs.
His performance in the 2026 season has not shown much improvement, as he recorded a 7.65 ERA in the majors, while also posting a 4.95 ERA in 43 and two-thirds innings at Triple-A Salt Lake. Despite these struggles, Anderson's minor league statistics indicate he has the potential to attract interest from other teams, with a strikeout rate of 23.6% against minor league hitters.
Anderson's exit from the Angels may symbolize the end of a cycle that has seen him designated for assignment multiple times this season. Initially signed to a non-roster deal with an invitation to spring training, he has faced ups and downs with the organization, having been designated for assignment three times, opting for free agency each time before rejoining the team on minor league contracts.
This latest roster move comes amid a broader reshaping of the Angels' pitching staff, which includes the recall of left-handers Mitch Farris and Blake Weiman, as well as the placement of right-hander George Klassen on the injured list. As the Angels look to redefine their team under new ownership, Anderson's departure, while seemingly minor, marks a significant moment in the franchise's transition.
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