The possibility that LA Angels Shohei Otani (29) will eventually leave the team is increasing.
American media Sports Illustrated reported on the 20th (Korean time), “The Angels may reach a turning point for the team in the upcoming offseason. Over the past few years, efforts have been made to build a team around two superstars, Ohtani and Mike Trout, but the problem has not been solved at all. Ohtani could leave the team now, and the Angels would be in real trouble,” he said about the possibility of a breakup between Ohtani and the Angels.
The media predicted key players who could leave the Angels in the upcoming offseason, including Ohtani. With Eduardo Escobar and Randall Grichuk expected to leave the team, the biggest blow to the Angels is the transfer of Ohtani.
Ohtani played an active part in 135 games as a batter this season with a batting average of .304 (151 hits in 497 at-bats), 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.066, and as a pitcher, he went 10 wins, 5 losses, and an average ERA of 3.14 in 23 games (132 innings). He finished the season a little early due to an injury and will have difficulty pitching as a pitcher next year due to an elbow injury, but he is still considered the largest free agent and the prevailing view is that he will break the record for the highest contract ever.
The Angels paid Ohtani $30 million (about 40.8 billion won) this season, giving him the highest salary ever among players eligible to apply for salary adjustment. However, they failed to sign an extension with Ohtani and failed to advance to the postseason, so they were unable to achieve their dream of playing fall baseball until Ohtani’s final season.
Ohtani, who debuted in the Major League in 2018, won the American League Rookie of the Year award that year and has accumulated a brilliant record of awards, including three All-Star awards (2021-2023), one MVP award (2021), and one Silver Slugger award (2021). However, while Ohtani was in his prime, the Angels hovered around the bottom of the American League West Division, ranking 4th in 2018, 4th in 2019, 4th in 2020, 4th in 2021, 3rd in 2022, and 4th in 2023. They have failed to advance to the postseason for 9 consecutive years since 2014. Trade rumors arose when Ohtani’s free agency was imminent, but the Angels ultimately did not trade Ohtani.메이저사이트
Sports Illustrated said, “Ohtani almost left the Angels. He was patient and devoted his best to the team. “But now, due to elbow ligament damage, I will not be able to pitch next year and I will no longer be able to sit on a team that was trying to advance to the fall baseball season together,” he said, explaining that Ohtani’s transfer is close to a fait accompli.
“It would be better for Ohtani to leave the Angels and go to a team that can challenge for the World Series championship or at least advance to the postseason,” the media pointed out, adding, “The reason he has never advanced to the postseason since his debut in the big leagues is “It’s unfortunate, but it may change depending on which team you go to next season,” he said, predicting that Ohtani will head to a team that can challenge fall baseball.
