On Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels named two-way star Shohei Ohtani as the team’s Opening Day starter, possibly for the last time.
The 28-year-old will be a free agent after the 2023 season, and his impending free agency is already a topic of discussion. Many speculate he’ll play elsewhere next season. His latest comments may reinforce that idea.
In a spring training news conference, Ohtani said he’s yet to hear about a potential contract extension with the Angels.
When asked if he is open to signing an extension, Ohtani answered, “This is my last year, and I’m aware of that. As of now, I’m an Angel, and that’s all I want to focus on.”
While Ohtani is hopeful the organization shares his desire to win, he’s uncertain if that’s true.
“I can’t really tell you what they really are thinking, but I would like to believe that, ” he said.
Several agents predict Ohtani could become the first player in MLB history to make $50 million per year and land a $500 million contract. In December, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that Ohtani will “shoot for” such a price.
Considering he’s the only player in the world capable of doing what he does, it’s not the most unreasonable demand.
Angels CF Mike Trout said Wednesday he’ll do “whatever he can” to help keep his fellow MVP in Anaheim. However, he admits it’ll come down to whether the Angels can build a winner around Ohtani, which won’t be easy.
The Angels have the longest active postseason drought in MLB (eight seasons), having made just one postseason appearance with their generational center fielder.
Ohtani has played five seasons with the Angels since arriving from Japan, emerging as one of baseball’s biggest stars in the last two.
Since 2021, he has the eighth-highest OPS (.918) and wRC+ (149) among MLB hitters. His 80 home runs over that span are the second most in the majors. He also ranks ninth in ERA (2.70), 20th in WHIP (1.05), and eighth in strikeouts per nine innings (11.39) among starters with at least 175 innings pitched.
If Ohtani leaves the Angels in free agency, his top suitors will be the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Giants and Padres. Angels GM Perry Minasian might have to consider making Ohtani available at the trade deadline to avoid losing him for nothing this winter.
Although he’d be a rental, Ohtani would generate a substantial return in a trade.
