While the Angels’ clubhouse atmosphere isn’t drastically different from what it’s been all season, players report that it’s better than it has been in a long time.

But that won’t occur until ownership and the front management decide to go all in with the greatest baseball player in the world while the getting is good.

The Angels went from a losing team two weeks ago to a winning one now thanks to trades, solid play, and the tried-and-true method of having more wins than losses. They went from being just beyond shouting distance of a playoff spot to being close enough for normal conversation.

Exciting. Energetic. Stronger. Hopeful. These are the words used by Angels players to characterize the team’s current situation as they look to finish the season strong and make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. In terms of longest postseason absence, no team comes close.

Everyone’s focus was on making the playoffs right up until the deadline. Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels told The Sporting News the sentiment has persisted since spring training. The front office’s additions to this club are plain to notice. It’s helpful for morale in the locker room that they, like us, are focused on victory.

It’s a nice change of pace for a team that usually struggles in the middle of the season, even when expectations are high at the start.

Mike Moustakas, who was acquired in a trade with the Rockies in June, told SN, “Obviously you know that when you get players in that you’re making a push at the postseason, so it boosts the confidence in the clubhouse.” Having fresh, capable players join the fold only strengthens the squad and revs everyone up for the next round of competition.

The Angels are four games out of a wild card place heading into Thursday’s game after winning 11 of their last 17 games following a six-game losing streak that put them two games under.500 on July 14.

The turnaround came after the team made a commitment to keep Shohei Ohtani and subsequently acquired starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and some new bats in an effort to assemble a roster strong enough to not only make the playoffs but also win.

Rookie shortstop Zach Neto told SN, “We got new guys in, big-nаme guys, so the energy is always gonna be up, probably more so than it has been.”

Neto is a rookie, but he knows the Angels have a history of underachievement and selling off key players at the trade deadline despite having stars like Ohtani and Trout. Okay, but now what?

People are starting to take note, he added. “The front desk is really trying to help us cross that finish line.”

The conversation between general manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno after outfielder Taylor Ward was Һit in the face by an Alek Manoah pitch on Saturday, resulting in fractures that will likely end his season, exemplifies the belief that drives this effort.

Ward’s ιnjury only amplified the team’s pressing need to add new players.

“I felt it — hey, keep going, keep going,” Minasian told reporters in Atlanta.

Moreno agreed with the plan wholeheartedly.

According to Minasian, “it was just a phone call.” Five minutes, to be exact. And that amounted to essentially, “Hey, another ιnjury has occurred.” In my opinion, this is a winning team. Continual enlаrgement is required. And incorporating payroll is a part of that. And they didn’t think twice about it. Create the best possible team.

Randal Grichuk, baseball outfielder, was acquired in a late-Sunday trade with the poor Rockies. And you should never discount the motivational impact of switching from a losing squad to one that is still in the race.

Every player, Grichuk argues, wants to be involved in meaningful games in the final weeks of the season. To quote him: “Unfortunately, we weren’t doing it in Colorado, but I was playing well enough that a team that was (winning) wаnted to trade for me, so that’s definitely special for me and… definitely gives you a little bit more excitement and energy to play the game.”

Grichuk proved his words accurate by hitting a home run in his Angels debut, which played a key role in a 4-1 victory over the powerful Braves.

CJ Cron, who joined Grichuk in Colorado, drove in a run. The team’s potential is not lost on him.

They are literally there. He told reporters before the first game in Atlanta, “They’re right in the division, they’re right in the wild card, so win a few games and next thing you know, you’re in first place.” The goal now is to rack up as many victories as possible, so I want to do what I can to assist the squad succeed.

So here they are, a revamped squad driven by the knowledge that only a World Series title can convince Ohtani to stay beyond this year: the 2018 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Although the task at hand will be challenging, the fresh energy of the clubhouse might serve as a source of initial motivation.

Manager Phil Nevin remarked, “We all appreciate the faith in us to get this done, and it’s a good buzz in there.”

Of course it would be. They’ve got Ohtani, they’re winning, they’ve got good reinforcements, and they can almost taste the playoffs. And one of the game’s all-time greats, that Trout guy, will be returning from the disabled list shortly.

“I’m really excited (to get back),” Trout said to SN. The squad has been performing well, but I can’t wait to go back out there with the new recruits.

The front desk came through for us. The floor is now open to the players.

In an interview with SN, Neto said, “Them adding new pieces just makes us stronger, and hopefully we can go out there in October and win some ball games.”