Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Makes His intentions Clear, ‘It Sucks to Lose’

The Angels have some work to do!

Even as the All-Star break festivities continue, the impending free agency of Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is taking center stage. Everyone in the game knows and is waiting for him to become a free agent this winter, which could make some teams change their strategies this trade deadline, including his current team.

The Angels have been on a bit of a freefall of late and now find themselves outside the playoff picture. With Ohtani scheduled to be a free agent, many are wondering what the Angels will do with him. They've signaled that they want to keep him through the year even if he ends up leaving like most in the industry believe he will. But Ohtani made his intentions clear at the All-Star festivities.

“Those feelings get stronger year by year,” Ohtani said through his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “It sucks to lose. [I want] to win.”

Per The Athletic

As the Angels continue to fall down the standings, the reality of Ohtani leaving grows louder. So naturally, the team should consider trading him so they don't lose him for nothing — but it doesn't seem they will do that. But even with everything, Ohtani is focused on helping the Angels for now and not on his upcoming free agency.

“I’ve never been a free agent before, so I’m not sure how that’s gonna be,” Ohtani said. “I’m focused on this season right now. I just want to do my best this year and try to get as many wins as possible.”



Per The Athletic

Since joining the Angels back in 2017, they haven't touched the postseason. The team has two of the top players in the league with Ohtani and Mike Trout and they still haven't found their way into the playoffs. It's a tough sight to see but one that could see the Angels lose the best player in baseball this offseason.

If the team can't rebound and reach the postseason, Ohtani is likely gone. And even if they do, is one year of just getting in enough to make him stay? 

This all remains unknown but the pressure is mounting and the Angels have the second half of the year to figure this out. If they don't, the ramifications will be larger than just having another lost season.