Shohei Ohtani is bound to be the talk of the town this season. With the 3x All-Star running down his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, the 2023 free agent has been linked to several teams as the trade deadline draws closer. But the Anaheim outfit seems to have decided on the AL MVP’s future that could have some ramifications on the transfer market. And the fans are not enthused.
With Ohtani undoubtably commanding a monster contract no matter where he goes, he is bound for a windfall at his next destination. However, the Angels’ decision could see that delayed by some months and not have it pan out before the deadline.
Per Tom Verducci, Ohtani Is No Longer up as a Trading Piece
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Ohtani has been a key contributor to the team’s wins this season. The Angels are only 6.5 games behind an AL Wild Card Spot. With the Anaheim outfit last having made the postseason in 2014, this year they have indicated that they attempt to end the 9 year drought. And keeping Ohtani’s services for the rest of the year will be crucial in their attempts.
According to Tom Verducci, the Angels have decided that the superstar is officially off the market as the Angels plan to reinforce their push for the off-season this year.
Shohei Ohtani is off the trade market and the Angels plan to make a playoff push, per @SInow's Tom Verducci pic.twitter.com/WwRVJeSq2M
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 27, 2023
After fielding offers from several franchises and conducting internal discussions over the past few days, the Angels Management has decided to Shohei Ohtani off the market. All to make a run in the postseason.
Moreover, Mike Trout is also looking set to return by later this August and will strengthen the Angels’ lineup and their bid for post-season glory.
The Angels will look to strengthen their lineup with potentially adding to their bullpen prior to the transfer deadline while making sure their batting form does not dip too seriously.
Fans React to the Shocking Revelation
The Anaheim fans are not enthused. With a post season drought to rival the Detroit Tigers, the fans are asking for some certainty. With some concluding that Ohtani leaving is inevitable.
Make me a GM, I'm home sitting on my couch, and I know that's a terrible mistake. I would've traded him for a 1000 prospect, make a push for the playoffs next year, the year after, and after.🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤯🤯🤯
— Don_Matias (@Don_Matias) July 27, 2023
Losing him for nothing is gonna be WILD
— Beyond The Data (@BeyondTheData) July 27, 2023
However, some fans expressed the opposite opinion. Showing that perhaps Ohtani was realistically never even on the market.
he was never on the market let’s be honest
— IcyVert (@IcyVert) July 27, 2023
They’ve been saying that since 2014 when they got swept by the Royals 😑
— Levi Pfifer (@therealpfifer) July 27, 2023
One fan even considered how a deadline day deal was never practicable.
Nobody wanted to trade half of their roster for a few months of team control
— Dan (@TheTedoMD) July 27, 2023
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Some Anaheim fans are still hopeful of a potential retention of the superstar.
Of course! No equal value for the 🐐 bring in a big time bat and entice Ohtani to resign… it’s that simple
— AllMightyCrypto (@AllMightyCrypto) July 27, 2023
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While the superstar is poised for a bumper contract, the market seems like it will have to wait for a bit before the transfer can go through. What are your assumptions?
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