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Mike Trout Reveals How Superstar Teammate Shohei Ohtani Shatters His Confidence Despite Hefty $426.5 Million Contract

Published 03/02/2023, 12:34 PM EST

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Amid all the interesting moves made this offseason, one burning question remains – will Shohei Ohtani remain with the LA Angels after 2023? The Angeles has had a rather long drought – nine years to be exact – since they made playoffs. General manager Perry Minasian has been active this winter, getting some great buys for the team. Along with Ohtani, Mike Trout has the best chance of leading the team to a win this year. Question is, will he do it alone?

Trout has been dealing with some back issues and while he says he’s recovered now, he isn’t the only Angels player to be plagued by injury. And yet, the Angels have managed a good roster this year. The center fielder recently spoke about how he’s excited about the upcoming season and fans are excited to see their favorite players up on the mound. But will Ohtani be the one to outshine them all? Here is what the 3-time AL MVP said.

Mike Trout jokes its next to impossible to outclass Shohei Ohtani

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Shotime has made waves as a two-way player ever since his debut in the major leagues. He has risen among the ranks of not just the Angels but overall players in the league as well – MLB Network declared him the number-one player for 2023. By comparison, Trout ranks third, whereas the number two spot is taken by Yankees captain Aaron Judge. The Angels’ center fielder has no short list of accolades when it comes to baseball, as he’s been making a name for himself for the last decade. And he will probably retire as an Angel, thanks to his 12-year $426.5 million contract.

And yet, it’s easy to see why he would feel this rivalry with his almost equally popular teammate. Speaking to MLB Network, Trout laughed, “I go out there with one mindset and tell myself I’m the best player on the field at all times… it’s tough sometimes you got Shohei out there.” And yet, it’s Trout getting the future Hall of Fame comparisons!

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Trout vs Ohtani – will baseball fans ever get to see it?

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With Shotime’s looming free agency and big teams ready to swoop in, it certainly won’t be a stretch to say people might get to see the two teammates competing against each other. But before that happens, World Baseball Classic may just bring the Angels players on opposite sides of a team. If so, does Trout have any plans on how to get one over Ohtani?

“I don’t even know what to tell ’em,” Trout told MLB Network on what he’d say during the pitchers and hitters meetings. “I’m watching him [Ohtani] from center field pitching — he’s got the best stuff in the league, I think. I don’t think I’ve talked to anybody in the league who wants to face that dude. And at the plate, he’s got very little weaknesses. Nothing even comes to the top of my head.”

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WATCH THIS STORY –  Japanese Two Way Baseball Star Shohei Ohtani Hits 100th Major League Homer

A team knows they have the right roster when a player can strike the fear of god in anyone they face!

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Written by:

Arunima Bhanot

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Arunima Bhanot is an MLB writer at EssentiallySports. Having earned an English literature degree from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, Arunima has always been interested in writing. She's a fan of archery and was the captain of her college team for two years running. She's an avid reader who also loves photography and travel, and you can find her talking constantly about books and anime on her Instagram!
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Edited by:

Abhishek Kumar