MLB team shocks American League fans with $1 billion wasted

One MLB team based in Los Angeles is known for tremendous success while the other has become a franchise its fans are frustrated to watch.

The Los Angeles Angels haven’t reached the MLB Playoffs in over a decade and fans are starting to realize why after a viral social media post revealed the amount they’ve spent on star players over the years.

Dan Clark posted on Twitter recently about the Angels’ over $1 billion spent on five well-known players. That includes Anthony Rendon, Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols.

The Angels waste some serious cash…

$245M Anthony Rendon
257 games of 1032 (25%)

$125M Josh Hamilton
240 games of 810 (30%)

$106M Justin Upton
366 games of 708 (52%)

$426M Mike Trout
583 games of 1032 (56%) *to date

$240M Albert Pujols
1181 games of 1518 (78%) pic.twitter.com/niTdmkqMDe

— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) December 31, 2025

Trout’s contract alone has paid him more than $400 million so far in his career. Meanwhile Rendon and Pujols combined for over $485 million.

The Los Angeles Angels finished dead last in the AL West last season after finishing 18 games under .500. That marked the third-worst record in the American League behind the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.

While the MLB team ranks 14th in payroll, according to Spotrac, the Angels haven’t been accustomed to winning as a result. Los Angeles currently sits at over $183 million per year, while the Los Angeles Dodgers rank number one with $342 million spent.

It’s clear that fans of the Angels want to see changes made, however, given the recent history of the franchise it could be some time before a turnaround is possible.

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