Even Shohei Ohtani has to feel frustrated. The humblest guy in baseball, usually found with a smile, possesses such raw power as a one-person army. Unfortunately for him, his current team can’t keep pace with his talents. Is it time for him to don a different jersey?
The team was playing good baseball only a few weeks ago, seemingly determined to keep their star player. But since then, everything has gone downhill. Despite Sho-time’s incredible personal performance, the Halos have lost 10 of their last 11 games. And the latest game against the Houston Astros only provided more proof of the fact.
Los Angeles Angels Fail to Keep Up With Shohei Ohtani’s MVP-Caliber Season
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To reach the postseason for the first time since 2014, the Angels may have been able to manage the task at one point. Their second game against the Astros even resulted in a historic 13-12 victory, bumping them to 3rd place in the AL West. But Sunday Night Baseball brought some misery with a 9-8 loss as the team’s 46-48 score again brought them down to 4th place.
Shohei Ohtani launches his 34th homer of the year. pic.twitter.com/LjFNDHIe9E
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2023
What fans find the most frustrating is that Shohei Ohtani is a sure MVP contender this season. He may even break Aaron Judge’s single-season home run record because Sunday’s game saw him hit his 34th homer of the year. Already a league leader, he is on pace to hit 60+ home runs in 2023.
READ MORE – Japanese Two-Way Star and MLB Home Run Leader Shohei Ohtani Dominates All-Star Selection Once Again
And yet, as has been the case since Ohtani debuted in MLB in 2018, the Angels have rarely done him justice. If they don’t trade him, the Japanese phenom should ask for a trade himself.
Will an Ohtani Trade Benefit the Halos?
Trade rumors are the talk of the town. With the August 1 deadline fast approaching, most MLB analysts and fans believe Ohtani should be traded. After all, what team would keep his talent for a few more months since he’s set to hit free agency after the season, anyway?
It’s doubtful he will stay in red and white after 2023. The more logical choice would be to trade him now and get a more prolonged investment in return.
Shohei Ohtani should demand a trade tomorrow morning.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 17, 2023
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However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels’ front office believes trading him would mean a lesser possibility of resigning him this winter. Their faith in his staying with them remains unwavering.
But as Dylan Hernandez wrote, “He should move to a perennial contender, both for his sake and baseball’s.”
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What do you think? Should Ohtani go the Mike Trout way and remain with the Halos? Or better his chances at playoffs, and thus a World Series, by joining a different team?
WATCH THIS STORY – Two-Way Star Shohei Ohtani Seemingly Believes His 1st Son Will Carry on His Baseball Legacy