Giving up on Ohtani and a wild card wasn’t an option.
38 home games with Ohtani & big crowds after the ASB at least trying for fans was.
Angels are beating Glasnow 7-5 in the 5th of two games before Hilary arrives.
Since

is the bottom line, the Angels have certainly received a whole lot more with Ohtani so they can chase after free agent pitching. Imagine the crowds with him gone.
A few prospects wasn’t worth it and would have been laughed at, scorned.
I don’t blame them for not doing as they were told to.