Is Angels star Shohei Ohtani leaving Los Angeles?
While the Los Angeles Angels attempt to make the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2014, Shohei Ohtani’s future remains a cloud over the team, and the most recent report is worrisome.
On the newest episode of “Flippin’ Bats,” FOX Sports MLB Reporter Ken Rosenthal stated that while the Angels are unlikely to deal Ohtani before the trade deadline in the hopes of re-signing him, the two-way star is expected to leave as a free agency this offseason.
“Do I think they’re going to sign him? No, I don’t think there’s a chance they’re going to sign him. But I don’t know that [Angels owner] Arte Moreno believes that, and nor if I’m Arte Moreno would I believe that,” Rosenthal said. “I’m gonna be confident in myself to sell this guy on what might be happening with Anaheim.
“The problem is Ohtani has been there awhile now. He has seen what’s happened in Anaheim, and I can’t imagine he’s all that happy with it. Yes, there’s a chance [the Angels trade Ohtani], but I would say it’s pretty minimal at this point.”
Will the Angels lose Shohei Ohtani? Ken Rosenthal joins in.
Through Tuesday, Ohtani had 16 home runs and 42 RBIs, with a batting line of.276/.352/.552. Ohtani is a pitcher with a 3.30 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts in 12 starts (71.0 innings). His next start is set for Friday against the Seattle Mariners.
Ohtani, a two-time All-Star and 2018 Rookie of the Year, earned the American League MVP award in 2021 after finishing second previous year.
The Angels are 32-30, sitting third in the AL West and nine games behind the Texas Rangers.
On other fronts, Rosenthal predicted that the Rangers (40-20) would be buyers before the MLB trade deadline, while the Chicago White Sox (27-35) are more likely to buy than sell. He also stated that Kansas City Royals reliever Aroldis Chapman is “guaranteed” to be traded, while Cleveland Guardians’ Shane Bieber will be available.
