Mike Trout on 'needed' sale of Angels: It's a 'fresh start' - ESPN

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout said Arte Moreno's sale of the Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke, who most famously presides over the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, «doesn't change» his desire to stay with the franchise for the remainder of his contract. If anything, it seems to energize him for what's ahead.

«I'm excited,» Trout said Tuesday, hours after the news of Kroenke's purchase broke. «Look, the track record — it's there.»

Kroenke's Rams have been to the Super Bowl twice since moving back to L.A. in 2016 and are widely seen as prohibitive favorites to return there this season. His sports résumé also includes two Stanley Cups (with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche), an NBA championship (with the Denver Nuggets), an MLS cup (with the Colorado Rapids) and a Premier League championship (with Arsenal F.C.).

Forbes estimates Kroenke's net worth at $24.3 billion, slightly above that of MLB's current richest owner, Steve Cohen of the New York Mets, and nearly five times Moreno's net worth of $5 billion. His purchase of the Angels — for a reported record-breaking $4 billion valuation — was seen as a jolt of electricity for the franchise.

«Seeing the reaction from the fans and some of the guys and the whole vibe, I think it was needed for a fresh start,» said Trout, who is signed through 2030. «The biggest thing is getting that feeling of getting that winning culture back and having that vibe in the clubhouse.»

Angels general manager John Mozeliak was sitting in his office Tuesday morning when Angels president Molly Jolly walked in, dropped a folder on his desk and said, «Your day's about to change.»

Six months ago, in early March, Jolly was promoted to replace John Carpino, who was retiring after a 23-year run spent mostly as a