Shohei Ohtani, a superstar for the Los Angeles Angels, is set to become a free agent soon, and his future is the subject of much curiosity and inquiry.
Mike Trout, another superstar on the Angels, mentioned that enigma in an interview with ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez published on Tuesday:
“There are numerous inquiries.
“I don’t think anyone knows what’s going through Shohei’s mind right now with the whole situation. It will come down to his own thoughts and feelings, and he will act in accordance with his own best interests and his own sense of what is right. Obviously, I run across him on a regular basis. He’s been regular in his visits. He seems to be having a good time and is at ease. However, I’m not sure. This winter is going to be challenging. It’s impossible to predict what will occur. There are bound to be a lot of clubs interested in signing him. Who wouldn’t want that?
However, it is impossible to know what the future holds. You should just take a good look about you.
Ohtani has Һit 43 home runs, driven in 89 runs, and has an OPS of 1.070; he is on pace for an MVP season. He has 165 strikeouts and a 3.17 ERA in 10 wins. The Angels’ current record of 61-64 places them nine games below the eighth and final wild card spot.
Ohtani made his desire to play for a championship-caliber team crystal plain during the All-Star break.
Despite Ohtani’s spectacular six years in the majors, the Angels have struggled, missing the postseason every year from 2018 through 2022 and likely doing so again this season. Since 2015, the Angels have not had a winning record.
Ohtani’s success raises the question of whether he will look to play for a team with a stronger track record, but for the time being, he will remain with the Angels as they attempt a late-season postseason push.
Trout, for his part, isn’t planning too far ahead.
Trout: “I’m trying not to look ahead like that,” but “it’s gonna become a reality, obviously, in the offseason when that last game is played and he becomes a free agent.” I haven’t given much thought to life without him since I’m holding out hope that he’ll return.
The Angels have a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds starting on Tuesday, and they’ll be looking to start a winning streak then.