As speculation swirls that the Los Angeles Angels could entertain trade offers for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the reigning American League MVP cast doubt Thursday on whether he wants to remain with the team.
“Regardless of where I’m playing, I want to give it my all, try to win the ballgame that’s right in front of me,” Ohtani said when asked if he wants to remain in the organization in both the short- and long-term. “I’m with the Angels right now. And I’m very thankful for what they’ve done. I really love the team. I love my teammates. Right now I’m an Angel, and that’s all I can really focus on at this point.”
Asked Shohei Ohtani after the game tonight if he wanted to be with the Angels both in the short term and the long term.
Here’s what he said: pic.twitter.com/5bSc5BTh16
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 29, 2022
While Ohtani has been the subject of trade rumors recently, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that it’s unlikely the Angels move him before the deadline.
Ohtani’s current two-year, $8.5 million deal with the Angels expires at the end of the season. After that, he will be eligible for a final year of salary arbitration, and then, be eligible for free agency. His entry into free agency as, effectively, both a top-tier starting pitcher and hitter would be unprecedented.
The Angels had informal discussions regarding an extension for Ohtani late in spring training with his agent, Nez Balelo of CAA, Rosenthal reported in June. The Angels, at least at that time, were reluctant to make the kind of record long-term offer Ohtani almost certainly would command on the open market, sources said.
In January, Ohtani indicated to The Athletic’s Sam Blum that he did not want to discuss an extension until his current deal was complete. He has also stated his desire to play for a winner; Los Angeles is currently 42-57, 22 1/2 games out of first place in the American League West.
Ohtani struck out 11 batters over six innings in the team’s 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday, reaching double-digit strikeouts for the sixth consecutive start. His ERA is now 2.81. At the plate, he’s slashing .254/.349/.486 with 21 home runs.
(Photo: John McCoy / Getty Images)
