Angels News: Stephen A Smith Shares Blasphemous Take Regarding Shohei Ohtani’s Free Agency

In his own words, ban him from talking about this sport.

After ludicrously suggesting in the past that Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani couldn't be the face of baseball due to the fact that he doesn't speak English, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has yet another poor take concerning the Japanese icon. 

Appearing on First Take earlier this week, Smith weighed in on the recent procedure Ohtani had on his elbow, and vehemently disagreed that any team should pay him an exorbitant contract in free agency. 

"When you look at the Dodgers, the Braves and various other teams, you don't have anyone there making half a billion dollars. There's a bunch of empty seats that I see when Shohei Ohtani's pitching, let alone hitting when the Angels come to town. You're not filling anything, you're not winning. I'm not giving up that kind of money to him. You don't need it. If I'm winning without paying somebody a half billion dollars, why would I go and pay him especially if you can't pitch until 2025."

Stephen A. Smith says Shohei Ohtani doesn't deserve a $500 million contract because the Angels didn't win or fill seats when he was on the team pic.twitter.com/3Jbq3OmYEY

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 20, 2023

What Smith fails to recognize, aside from the fact that he's admitted ESPN as a network simply doesn't care or even watch baseball, is that the Angels' win loss record hasn't been Ohtani's fault. 

With a WAR level above 9 in the past three full relatively healthy seasons he's played, Ohtani's play on both sides of the diamond is well worth all the money he's been paid in an Angels uniform regardless of the team around him failing. 

Blaming Ohtani when the finger should be pointed at Arte Moreno as an owner for his cheapness and roster construction remains an idiotic take.

Likely not his true opinions about Ohtani and a ploy to earn more ratings from true baseball fans, Smith's strategy won't fool us or any other team in the league from giving him what he's worth. 

For a unicorn like Ohtani is, you might as well write a blank check and give him what he wants, even if you are the Dodgers or the Braves.