Top MLB Insider Gives LA No Chance to Retain Shohei Ohtani in Free Agency
Entering the 2023 season, the biggest cloud looming over the Los Angeles Angels was the impending free agency of Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani will be a free agent at the end of the season and there has been much speculation that the star player won't stay with the Angels.
MLB insider Ken Rosenthal added fuel to the fire on the Flippin Bats podcast with Ben Verlander. Rosenthal said that he doesn't believe there is a chance that the Angels retain the biggest show in baseball.
These are strong words from someone like Rosenthal, who is one of the best in the business. The Angels haven't been competitive since Ohtani joined the team and rumor is that he values winning above all. But of course, the potential to be the highest paid player in history doesn't hurt either.
Ohtani will likely garner a new contract at or above $500 million this offseason and unless the Angels turn things around, it's unlikely he stays. Even if they do, he still may opt to leave for greener pastures.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres are among the short list of teams that will be vying for his services when he becomes available. Will the Angels be able to out spend those teams? The answer is likely not.
If the Angels truly believe that they won't be able to re-sign Ohtani this winter, the most logical move would be to move him at the trade deadline. The team has been against this decision for awhile now but they can't allow him to walk away for nothing, under any circumstances.
These next few months will be interesting to see play out. The future of not only Ohtani but the Angels franchise is at stake here. This free agency will showcase a bidding war unlike anything we have seen before and Ohtani will be the star of the show, as always.
