Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Praises Dodgers Superstar at All-Star Game Feeding Into Rumors

All eyes on ShoTime.

We're at that time of year when all Shohei Ohtani needs to do is blink and it's headline worthy. The Angels are in a tough spot record and standings wise after losing 9 of their last 10 games to enter the All-Star break. Injuries have been the tale of the season and have baseball pundits wondering if the club might consider looking ahead to 2024 and selling off some assets at the deadline.

So, when Shohei praised Mookie Betts of the Dodgers during All-Star week, it got fans in LA already ready for Ohtani in blue. Here's the quote that got things stirring.

Shohei Ohtani was asked which All-Star impressed him the most.

His answer: Mookie Betts.

"He's so versatile; he can play the outfield, play the middle infield. He's very, very talented." pic.twitter.com/zNks5r66xU

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) July 12, 2023

Now, does this mean Shohei becoming a Dodger is as good as done? Obviously not. Halos owner Arte Moreno has maintained time and time again that GM Perry Minasian would hang up the phone on any Ohtani inquiries. Moreno is not going to be the baseball team owner that trades away the best baseball player on the planet.

Smartly, Dodgers stars Betts along with first baseman Freddie Freeman avoided any tampering when facing Ohtani questions while mic'd up during the game. So do with that what you will.

The Angels are 7 games behind the AL West leading Texas Rangers but also only 5 games out of a wild card spot. As the second half of the season kicks off on Friday, the hope is health will be more on the Halos' side through the dog days of summer.

Rookie shortstop Zach Neto should be back soon. Anthony Rendon could be back in the lineup against the Astros on Friday. Mike Trout will be back in about a month. With a little luck, health, and a few shrewd trades, the Angels can be right back in the race and setting themselves up better to re-sign free-agent-to-be Shohei Ohtani in the offseason.