The relationship between Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin and his roster is something that has grown and evolved since he took over early on in the 2022 season.
Nevin was able to build a strong rapport with the team during that tumultuous season, which earned him a one-year deal for this year. He’s been credited by many players as having a strict, but enjoyable culture in the clubhouse, a positive sign for the interim manager turned full-time skipper.
The underlying storyline that has been active is the current performance, health status, and future of two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Nevin has been as gracious as anyone when speaking of the 29-year-old, while doing his best to be transparent.
With Ohtani entering free agency at the conclusion of the regular season slate, Nevin was both honest, yet optimistic about the Angels in keeping him with the only team he’s known, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“Of course, I want him back,” Nevin said. “Everybody here wants Shohei. But there are 30 teams that want Shohei on their team. But it would mean the world to me [for him] to come back. I think he fits in well in the clubhouse with his relationships with the players we have. The way he’s helped a lot of the young guys here. There’s a comfort zone here. And if you go somewhere else, you have to step out of your comfort zone, so of course I want him back.”
Ohtani was had been a huge key to the team’s spotted success, even being on pace to have some record-setting home run numbers. The right-oblique injury didn’t help matters when he strived to stay in the lineup, the second ailment he’s dealt with.
The direction of the franchise isn’t certain and because Nevin’s contract ends after the year, the exodus of he and Ohtani is a possible outcome.
Angels don’t have pulse of Shohei Ohtani & his future plans
Looking ahead to Ohtani’s free agency, his options will remain open, and because of his latest elbow injury, some teams may shy away from the overall value of a deal.
A robust market that seems to have every team at-least inquiring about his services, doesn’t look as if the Angels will have an inside track at retaining him.
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