Incumbent Angels Emerging as Serious Threat to Dodgers for Shohei Ohtani, Per Latest Reports
Just when you thought the free agency of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani couldn’t get any stranger, now there have been multiple reports saying that the incumbent Los Angeles Angels are a real threat to retain him. For most of the offseason, the Angels have been thought of as an afterthought, but it seems that staying power may be at play here with Ohtani.
First ESPN insider Buster Olney tweeted out on Monday that one player’s agent believed that Ohtani would make his way back to the Angels this winter due to “routine” and the “autonomy” the Angels offer him.
And then insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com said that he believes the Angels are very much in the running for the two-way superstar.
“I think the Angels are very much in this. And in the last 24 hours, I’ve had several people they tell me they think he will ultimately go back to the Angels.”
Per Mark Feinsand via MLB Network
Why Would Shohei Ohtani Go Back to the Angels?
It’s simple really: comfort. He is presumably very comfortable playing in the Angels organization and they have essentially given him anything that he wants over the years.
While he values winning, he also values autonomy and is a very private person. So, the question remains: which does he value more?
If he values autonomy more than winning, he will surely wind up back with the Halos next season. But if all other reporting is to be correct and Ohtani wants to win, he should leave them this offseason.
The Angels have shown him no reason to think that they can field a competitive team, and re-signing with them would be a massive risk on his part. But Ohtani has shocked the baseball world before, and it looks like he could do it again.
He is unlike any free agent that we have ever seen, and that alone is cause for some confusion. Ohtani is the only one who knows what he wants from this process and that is by design.
Hopefully, these reports are just leverage being thrown out by the Ohtani camp to maximize the contract that he may get from a team like the Dodgers. We should get much more clarity on the situation over the next few days with the winter meetings taking place.
Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
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Best possible outcome is for Ohtani to stay with the Angels or take the year off. The surgery he had will limit his plate appearances and impact his ability to contribute while tying up a lot of cash. I don’t think he’s worth it. He has a history of injuries and you have to have a six man rotation when he can pitch. Right now he’s a broken down novelty.
I agree Lyle. He’s not worth it. Being a Dodgers fan I pray they don’t get him. They can get a lot more value with that money. But I also get that he would bring in a lot of money to. Japan market etc
He will be in Dodgers Blue by the end of the month. Ohtani is good fit as a Dodger Blue.
I agree with Philip. Remember that Ohtani cleared out his locker in a huff before the end of the season? I think he was not happy with how the Angels over-used his arm, thus potentially causing the injury. All these rumors about the Angels or Blue Jays having the inside track are all just hypes to drive up the price further that the Dodgers will have to pay Ohtani.
He will be a Dodger- next Fernando Valenzuela except can hit. Now if we could just figure out how to get rid of Dave Roberts we’d be in business!
Look, if Ohtani decides to return to the Angels, then fine. We can move on and take care of our pitching needs and another RH impact bat.
I really hope Ohtani goes somewhere else. I think he is way over valued. Way to much hype. I would love to see the Dodgers pay for some real solid pitchers. Yamamoto would be my number one target if I was in charge. I really think paying all that money for Ohtani is a huge gamble that quite likely will not pan out. I seriously doubt he will ever be the same pitchers again. Having two TJ surgeries is not good. That money could be spent way better on other players.
Angel fans definitely don’t want to see him go, and after he cleared his locker I doubt if he returns, it just talk to Jack up the price and trades, like many clubs do