Angels sale is destined to take away one of Mariners' favorite punching bags

When it comes to Seattle, there are certain things which you can always rely on. Rain most of the year but glorious summers, amazing seafood, people drinking coffee, and the Mariners beating the Angels. Unfortunately for M's fans, we might now have to pump the brakes on that last one.

Since 2021, the Mariners have been remarkably consistent as one of just four Major League teams to win 85+ games every season. Helping contribute to this has been the ability to regularly beat up on the Angels, with the fourth-most wins against them of any team during this time. And while the streak of 85+ wins might end this year, the M's are 4-2 versus the Halos and with seven more games to go.

However, the Mariners may want to make the most of those next seven games. The landscape is set to change dramatically in the AL West, following Tuesday's news that Arte Moreno is selling the Angels to billionaire Stan Kroenke. This represents a stunning development, and not just because the Angels are set to have the richest owner in Major League Baseball.

We appreciate that vast amounts of money doesn't always guarantee success in the world of professional sports, with the Mets offering a prime example. Despite being the richest owner in the majors prior to Tuesday's news, Steve Cohen only has two playoff appearances in five seasons as the Mets' majority owner, and with the team currently bottom of the NL East.

America's largest private landowner has the potential to 'own' the AL West

In the case of Kroenke however, history indicates he's well-positioned to have success with the Angels, as much as this might sound like a contradiction. His impressive sports ownership empire includes the Rams, Nuggets, and Avalanche, who have all become powerhouses and won championships in recent seasons. In addition, Arsenal ended 22 years of frustration back in May by claiming the Premier League title.

There will be those who contend Moreno did have some success with the Angels in the early days, making the playoffs in five of his first seven seasons as owner. However, with the team about to make it 12 consecutive seasons and 16 out of 17 without a playoff appearance, his influence and ability to inspire success has deteriorated drastically. For goodness sake, as much as baseball is arguably the ultimate team game, his legacy in Anaheim includes three-time AL MVP Mike Trout only going to the postseason once.

Pending how much longer Trout is going to play, he might not be around by the time Kroenke's history of success takes hold of the Angels. Still, fans in Anaheim have every justifiable reason to be excited about what the future holds for their beloved team. And this prospect just should strike fear into the hearts of the Mariners and their own fanbase, because easy street is about to be overwhelmed by potholes and blockades.

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