The Los Angeles Angels are less than two weeks away from one of the most important trade deadlines in franchise history. With the future of two-way star Shohei Ohtani dominating the chatter around the league, a crossroads point is rapidly approaching.
With a few of the club’s key injured guys returning to the active roster in shortstop Zach Neto and reliever Matt Moore, the Angels are still in a standby mode with Brandon Drury and Anthony Rendon, two large pieces to their infield puzzle.
Keeping their record around .500 hasn’t been ideal, but hanging within striking distance while center fielder Mike Trout rehabs is what the team has to do. Rumors around Major League Baseball have already begun, speculating that Ohtani is all but guaranteed to be leaving after the year.
Having played together since joining forces in 2018, Trout and Ohtani have built quite the tandem, the unfortunate part is there hasn’t been much to show for it. Trout has quite the job to keep the Angels competitive from where he stands, but also noted that he’ll do the best recruiting deal he can as well, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“I’m going to do whatever I can to keep Shohei here, for sure,” Trout said. “We’re going to go out there and try to win. I haven’t really talked to Shohei about his future, but it seems like he’s having a good time here. But it’s been six years together and we haven’t been in the playoffs, so if there’s any year we need to get the playoffs, it’s this year.”
Ohtani has reiterated his desire to win, and given the track record of Angels success, he might already have his sights on somewhere else. Trout hinted that Ohtani won’t be swayed, and will choose wherever is best for himself:
“I think the biggest thing is he has to do what he believes is right for him,” Trout said. “If he believes staying in Anaheim is the right move, he should do that. If he thinks otherwise, I’m going to do whatever I can to help convince him to stay.”
The Angels have to decide the road they’ll go down with Ohtani and the potential prospect haul they’d receive if he’s dealt. It’s the unfortunate reality of the situation, with how the initial glimmer of hope has worn off after their elongated stretch of poor play.
Angels not ruling out Shohei Ohtani trade
After initially signing with the Angels as an international free agent in December 2017, but limited to the amount he could receive because of age and collective bargaining agreement restrictions, Ohtani agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract for the 2023 season to avoid arbitration.
Much speculation around the league is that Ohtani could, or should be dealt to another team ahead of the trade deadline, a topic that has engulfed the chatter in MLB.
Despite suggesting otherwise over recent weeks while they remained contenders, it now appears the Angels are at least going to be willing to field Ohtani trade offers.
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