Shohei Ohtani announced his MLB arrival in 2018. He reached Major League Baseball as a potential two-way wonder at the mound and in the box. However, the start of his career in the States was anti-climactic at best. While he managed to win the American League Rookie of the Year award in his debut season, his injury-surrounded beginning restricted his two-way abilities.
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Only after he tackled his injuries, and become a full-fledged pitched and outfielder, in 2021, his capabilities started growing visible.
After playing with the Angels for 3 years, in the 2021 off-season, Ohtani signed a two-year deal with the Angels for $8.5 million. However, this deal came to an end with the Angels’ elimination in 2022. And despite questions about his talent going to waste with the Angels, Ohtani signed a one-year extension worth $30 million with the Angels.
Is the two-way wonder leaving the Angels?
With this deal being signed in October 2022, Ohtani set the record for the biggest salary raise of any arbitration-eligible player – a $24.5 million raise from his 2022 salary of $5.5 million.
Angels GM Perry Minasian announced that the Angels will NOT trade Shohei Ohtani this offseason. h/t @SamBlum3
Analogous to the announcement in October, Angels General Manager Perry Minasian recently shared an update about the possibility of an Ohtani trade in the near future.
As reported by Fox, Minasian said that Ohtani would not be traded to any other team during the 2023 offseason.
How did fans react to the Shohei Ohtani update?
Through a combination of brilliant Ohtani’s brilliant pitching and slugging and Mike Trout’s tremendous power-hitting, everyone expected the Angels to set the stage on fire. However, that never happened. And the Angels haven’t reached the World Series since 2002 despite the star power of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 25, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) sits in the dugout before being introduced during a pregame awards ceremony at Angel Stadium. Ohtani was given the team MVP and Nick Adenhart Awards before a game against the Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
In reference to that, fans spoke about Ohtani’s talent going to waste with the Angels. Moreover, some people also reacted to the possibility of the team being sold at a higher price with Trout and Ohtani in it. All in all, this is how fans reacted:
Announce the new ownership already
You’re giving us too much credit probably like 60
Angels are (likely) being sold. So I don't think Moreno would want to sell the team without having two of his biggest assets.
Says every GM before the trade
Makes sense. The Angels are more valuable to potential buyers with both Ohtani and Trout on it.
Just to be 4th place in the division.
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