Angels News: Anonymous Sources 'Familiar with LA's Thinking' Assure Ohtani Won't Be Traded
The biggest cloud surrounding the Los Angeles Angels is the future of star two-way player Shohei Ohtani. It's the talk of the team, even amid the Angels being in contention for a Wild Card spot at the moment. He will be a free agent at the end of the season and the common belief is that he won't be wearing an Angels jersey come next season. So many in the game believe that Los Angeles should trade Ohtani to make sure he doesn't walk for nothing. However, that doesn't seem to be in the current plans for the team.
Whether they remain in contention or tumble to the bottom of the standings, the expectation is for Ohtani to be on their roster for the remainder of the season, according to people familiar with the team’s thinking who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized the publicly discuss the matter.
Now, if this is the way that the Angels want to play this, it's risky. There are no assurances that Ohtani will stay with them during the offseason so the Angels have a tough decision ahead of them.
On the open market, Ohtani is seen to become the first player to receive a contract for over $500 million in MLB history. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres will be vying for his services and they will all offer him a truckload.
Even while his pitching hasn't been as good as previous years, Ohtani's value is still sky high. His 3.32 ERA is around the average for baseball and his bat is still excellent. He has 17 home runs, which is tied for the fourth-most around the league. What he brings to an organization both on and off the field, is something you can't measure.
The two-way player has never said that he wants to leave Los Angeles but he values winning and that isn't something that the Angels have done since his arrival. If the Angels are willing to gamble on this, then owner Arte Moreno better back up the brinks truck come winter time.
Los Angeles is playing a dangerous game with Ohtani if they don't trade him. But you can also appreciate the want to try and be competitive this season. The future of Ohtani with the Angels is up in the air but it seems that the team is willing to let it all play out this winter, when other teams can get involved.
