Anyone who thought that, amidst the multiple anti-Moreno protests, things couldn’t have worse for the Angels, has been proven wrong. On Tuesday, during their loss to the Tigers, Jorge Soler jogged to second base when a sprint could’ve saved the inning. It highlighted his lack of hustle, which eventually got him thrown out. It also suggested that the clubhouse might have given up on the season.

“If the Angels want to turn things around, they’ll need better hustle than this,” the New York Post shared Jomboy Media’s clip.

The drama unfolded in the second inning when the Angels were trailing 1-0. Soler was on first base as Wade Meckler took over the plate. He hit a grounder off the Tigers’ starter, Casey Mize, and covered first base. The ball went straight to the Tigers’ second baseman Hao-Yu Lee. Although it was a routine play, and Soler initially jogged to second base, Lee had trouble gloving the ball.

It still didn’t push Soler enough to put some hustle. He continued to jog as Lee threw the ball and kept Soler out of the inning. It was only Meckler who sprinted to the first to avoid a double play. However, Soler’s jog was a sad display of the losing mentality of the Angels. And if that was not bad enough, the Angels manager, Kurt Suzuki, made it worse.

Suzuki was asked about Soler’s lazy play after the game. Soler was “battling some stuff,” Suzuki responded. No further clarifications that only made the fans confused about what was wrong with Soler. Suzuki’s response just reconfirms the fans’ fear that the Angels’ front office has lost control over the clubhouse.

Soler has been a massive disappointment all season, batting an ugly .215 with just nine home runs and an OPS barely hovering around .700.

And it’s not only about Jorge Soler. Yoan Moncada was tasked with anchoring third base. He has struggled with lethargic performances at the plate and costly defensive miscues, leading to mounting concerns regarding his reliability on the field.

When the owner himself is not promoting a winning mentality, it’s no wonder that the clubhouse would give up. “Sell the team” chants may continue in Anaheim, but time will tell if that has any impact on the Angels’ front office. But what if the name “Angels” doesn’t stay anymore?

The Angels might have to give up their name

While the fans are asking the front office to sell the team, the team’s name, the Los Angeles Angels, could be changed.

Reportedly, California lawmakers introduced bill AB 2512, dubbed the “Home Run for Anaheim Act,” to force the team to revert its name to the Anaheim Angels if stadium deals require public funding. AB 2512 “would require the Major League Baseball franchise to go back to using the name ‘Anaheim Angels’ in official documents and marketing materials” if the city of Anaheim “gives the team special legal treatment to help sell, lease or redevelop Angel Stadium and the surrounding land,” California Posts reported.

So, chances are high that Moreno would return to the “Anaheim Angels” again.

The team played as the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 2004. They had a .508 winning percentage between this period and won a World Series in 2002. So, maybe the team name change could bring back the fortune. Still, it is up to Moreno to invest in the roster development. With around $173 million payroll in 2026, which is significantly eaten up by Mike Trout’s $37 million for this year, even the comeback of the Anaheim Angels might not work.

Let’s now see how Moreno deals with fans’ pressure and legal complexities to offer relief for the team.