The Los Angeles Angels would love to keep Shohei Ohtani for the long term.
That’s obviously not a secret: he has been a star in Los Angeles, with an MVP and a second-place finish in the last two seasons.
Secrets, however, are being kept by Angels owner Arte Moreno, who has had an eventful series of months from his intention to sell the team in August, to the team’s disappointing season in 2022, to an active offseason.
An Angels insider criticized the owner for talking to the press (Jon Heyman of the New York Post) and failing to address some burning questions.
“Arte Moreno spoke to a reporter, but didn’t say much. There are still so many questions he needs to answer. The sale, stadium, losing, payroll, lawsuits, personnel, minor league treatment, among many others. Until he does that with local reporters, this doesn’t mean anything,” The Athletic’s Sam Blum tweeted.
Arte Moreno spoke to a reporter, but didn't say much.
There are still so many questions he needs to answer. The sale, stadium, losing, payroll, lawsuits, personnel, minor league treatment, among many others.
Until he does that with local reporters, this doesn't mean anything. https://t.co/HND503tYRQ
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) February 8, 2023
Moreno told Heyman that he would love to retain Ohtani and that his Angels have as good a chance as anyone.
Other executives are not so sure, though.
While Moreno keeps failing to address and answer the most critical questions – nobody knows why he pulled the Angels off the market – his team will need to show Ohtani they can win or at least be competitive in order to commit to them.
The Angels brought in a lot of talent in the offseason, namely Tyler Anderson, Carlos Estevez, Brandon Drury, Hunter Renfroe and Gio Urshela.
Is that enough to get into the postseason, at least as a Wild Card team?
It remains to be seen, but if the Angels fail to make it into October, it’s hard to see the Japanese star signing with them.
NEXT: Shohei Ohtani Appears To Be In Midseason Form
