The LA Angels are not planning to let go of their two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani without a fight. There’s a looming threat on Anaheim of their biggest star, Shotime, to leave the franchise for a bigger and better one. However, Angels management is quite confident of keeping Ohtani with them. Most recently, the yet another threat of the National League’s LA Dodgers started to endanger Ohtani in the Angels.
However, the Angels’ front office, in return for this threat, unleashed a piece of earthquake-worthy news about Ohtani’s free agency.
Can the $2.7 billion worth of LA Angels retain Shohei Ohtani?
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Most recently, an esteemed sports website, The Athletic, did an anonymous poll of around 100 MLB players. The biggest question of the survey, as many would think, was where Shohei Ohtani would end up after hitting free agency post this season. A significant number of players think that he’ll be staying on the West Coast with The Blue Crew, i.e., LA Dodgers. On the top of it, recently, Angels General Manager Perry Minasian discussed the prospect of potentially trading Ohtani prior to the Trade Deadline.
According to Minasian, it is implausible to happen, considering the Angels’ being in the second position of their division. Perry conveyed to the MLB reporter his thoughts on Ohtani’s potential long-term tenure with the team. “I think anybody who has watched us play or looked where we’re at in the standings, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we like him and we hope he’s here a long time. It’s pretty self-explanatory with where we’re at.”
The biggest question this offseason: Where will Shohei Ohtani sign?
The Athletic polled around 100 MLB players and an overwhelming amount said the Dodgers.
Most think he's staying on the West Coast: https://t.co/3WnSHDpS9b pic.twitter.com/felz9sSF84
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 20, 2023
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Shohei, when he hits the free agency, is aiming to get a contract as big as half a billion dollars, if not more. It remains uncertain whether the Angels have the financial capability to afford Ohtani such a substantial sum. But if somehow they do make it happen, it will be a massive hit to their bankroll. The potential belief of among fans and players might be the reason for Ohtani’s massive worth in the market.
Is Ohtani Adding Yet Another MVP Trophy to His Legacy?
Sho-time, after securing the AL MVP award in 2021, had previously earned a remarkable second place in the race the previous year. And once again, by showing nothing but the iconic talent on the mound and on the plate, chances of winning MVP again seem to be in Shohei’s favor.
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With a season-leading tally of 24 homers from the plate and 105 strikeouts from the mound, the Angels’ two-way phenom is playing exceptionally well. But once again, the question remains: Where will Shohei Ohtani end up post-this season? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
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