Shohei Ohtani has arrived at Angels spring training, perhaps for the last time, giving no assurances he’ll be back in 2024. The former MVP was decidedly noncommittal in his comments to reporters Thursday, suggesting his bags are already packed in anticipation of next year’s free agency.
Ohtani has been critical of the Angels before, expressing his disgust at missing the playoffs year after year despite the team’s obvious talent, squandering his own prime as well as Mike Trout’s. While the Halos have been adamant Ohtani won’t be traded under any circumstance, the lack of progress towards a contract extension puts them in a compromising position, at risk of losing a once-in-a-generation player without so much as a draft pick in return.
Not only is Ohtani among the most feared sluggers in baseball, but he’s also emerged as a legitimate ace (the Angels have already tapped him as their Opening Day starter), finishing fourth in last year’s Cy Young voting on the strength of 219 strikeouts (sixth-most in MLB) and a 2.33 ERA (sixth-lowest). Owing to his unprecedented dual-threat skill set, early estimates suggest Ohtani could fetch north of $500 million on his next deal, a figure that would dwarf the current high-water mark held by Trout (12 years, $426 million). The Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Mets and Red Sox have all been floated as potential suitors in the likely event of Ohtani testing free agency next winter.
You can understand Ohtani’s desire for a change of scenery following another losing season in 2022 with the Angels showing little in the way of urgency, continuing their excruciating pattern of complete and utter irrelevance. Whether the Angels take the necessary steps to field a competitive product remains to be seen, though, judging by his lack of enthusiasm, the Ohtani ship may have already sailed.
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