Shohei Ohtani has been with the Los Angeles Angels since 2018.
They haven’t advanced to the postseason during his time with the organization.
In fact, the Angels haven’t felt what it’s like to play in October since 2014.
The situation has reached a point in which Ohtani is obviously frustrated with the team, and he is very likely to leave as a free agent once the World Series ends.
Ohtani, like every talented ballplayer in the world, wants to be a part of winning squad.
Winning is fun.
Losing?
Not too much.
“‘It sucks to lose. He wants to win, so it gets stronger every year.’ Shohei Ohtani, through his translator, on how important being on a winning team is to him,” SNY tweeted, with a video of Ohtani’s response.
"It sucks to lose. He wants to win, so it gets stronger every year."
Shohei Ohtani, through his translator, on how important being on a winning team is to him: pic.twitter.com/tc47rqKjnu
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 10, 2023
It is believed that Ohtani will seek the best situation for him when it comes to joining a roster ready to compete.
While money is expected to be important behind his potential decision, he wouldn’t join, say, the Washington Nationals or the Oakland Athletics even if they outbid everyone else.
He wants to have a shot at playing high-stakes games in the World Series.
The 45-46 Angels are unlikely to give him that opportunity.
He might consider re-signing with them if they manage to make the playoffs this year, but they closed the first half on a sour note with five straight losses and somewhat killed a nice momentum.
It will be a bidding war of sorts in the winter, as top teams such as the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and the Angels themselves are expected to try and sign him.
NEXT: MLB Stars Predict Shohei Ohtani's Next Contract