Angels News: Shohei Ohtani Speaks on Halos Commitment to Going All In

The Angels are actually buyers for once in Shohei's Tenure.

Shohei Ohtani absolutely shoved on the mound in game one of the Angels' doubleheader. In his first start in a little over a week, he tossed a complete game shutout -- the first of his career -- and rewarded the Angels front office for its commitment to him and the team this season.

After the game, Ohtani spoke with media for the first time since the report dropped that he would not be traded at the deadline this year. The throughline of his message was that he was going nowhere this season, at least if he had his say about it.

Shohei Ohtani:

"From the beginning, my plan was to finish the season with the Angels. Nothing is really going to change mentally, but all the people talking about about the trades — that's going to be all gone.

I feel like I'll just focus on taking this team to the playoffs."

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 27, 2023

Beyond that, he shared his thoughts on the team adding at the deadline for the first time in his career with the Halos

"I think this is the first time in my six years that we've been buyers. We've been sellers the last five years. So this is new to me. I just want to get to know the new guys and welcome them in and compete all together. Until last year, the team situation, we had to be sellers. Perry was doing his job. Now we're in a different situation. I think we're making acquisitions to try and get us better and get us over that hump. I think us as players, we've just got to do our jobs."

Via Sam Blum, The Athletic

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The Angels remain firmly in the hunt for a Wild Card spot and can pick up some nice ground today with a doubleheader sweep in Detroit. 

With a few days until the August 1 deadline, there's still time for GM Perry Minasian to bring in another asset or two to add to the roster. Also helping the club's Wild Card hopes is the eventual return of three time AL MVP Mike Trout, who should return by mid-August.