Kevin Pillar Calls for Angels Owner Arte Moreno to Sell the Team

Former MLB outfielder says Moreno "really doesn't care" about winning

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Former MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar has called on Angels owner Arte Moreno to sell the team, saying Moreno "really doesn't care" about winning. Pillar's comments come days after Moreno said fans care more about affordability than winning. Moreno has faced growing criticism from players and the players' union over his ownership of the struggling Angels franchise.

Why it matters

Pillar's comments highlight the growing frustration with Moreno's leadership of the Angels, who have struggled to win despite having superstar talent like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Moreno's comments about fans prioritizing affordability over winning have also drawn criticism, as players want to see owners committed to fielding a competitive team.

The details

Pillar, who played for the Angels in 2024, said Moreno "doesn't realize what he has" and that "if he really cared about winning, it would be such a destination for players to want to come and play." Moreno recently said the "number one thing fans want is affordability" and that "winning is not in their top five," citing an internal team survey. The comments didn't sit well with new MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer, who said "players are competitors" and "want to see owners doing the same thing."

  • Pillar made the comments during an appearance on the 'Foul Territory' podcast.
  • Moreno made his comments about fan priorities on Friday.

The players

Kevin Pillar

A former MLB outfielder who played for the Angels in 2024.

Arte Moreno

The owner of the Los Angeles Angels.

Bruce Meyer

The new interim executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.

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What they’re saying

“He doesn't realize what he has, because if he really cared about winning, it would be such a destination for players to want to come and play.”

— Kevin Pillar, Former MLB Outfielder (Foul Territory Podcast)

“The bottom line is players are competitors. They grew up competing every day. They go out, and they try their hardest to win every game. And players want to see owners doing the same thing.”

— Bruce Meyer, Interim MLBPA Executive Director (The Athletic)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Moreno will heed Pillar's call to sell the Angels or if he will continue to face growing criticism from players and fans over his leadership of the struggling franchise.

The takeaway

Pillar's comments highlight the growing disconnect between Angels owner Arte Moreno and the players who want to see a commitment to winning, rather than just affordability for fans. This tension raises questions about the long-term viability of Moreno's ownership and the future direction of the Angels organization.