Angels Rumors: Insider Predicts Shohei Ohtani Signs With Crosstown Rival, Continues MVP-Level Play

This would be a blow to the Halos.

After another disappointing year for the Angels, the writing seems to be on the wall regarding the future of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim. It’s widely expected that Ohtani will leave the Halos in search of a more consistent winner for the remainder of his career.

Ohtani hasn’t seen the postseason since joining the Angels years ago, and his main priority is winning. But as long as he is with the Angels, the likelihood of that happening unfortunately remains low.

Even with his torn UCL, teams will be lining up for the chance to sign him this winter. He will just be a hitter in 2024 as he recovers from a procedure to fix the tear, but he should return to his two-way abilities in 2025.

Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report put together a list of free agent predictions, and they have Ohtani staying in Southern California. But he turns in his red Halos jersey, for a blue Dodgers one.

“As would the fact that, as it currently stands, the Dodgers are a better run organization equipped to go on a World Series run. If they can do so this postseason and win the pennant in the National League, it may be nearly impossible to persuade the player, desperate to win, to go anywhere else. Prediction: Ohtani joins the Dodgers, stays in MVP form, and returns to quality pitching in 2025.”

Per Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report

Many Angels fans know that the Dodgers have a great chance to sign Ohtani, but it would still be a blow to the team if it happened. However, the Angels organization has nobody to blame but themselves if he leaves this winter.

"The definition of a "unicorn" in the sport of baseball, he is a rare two-way player who excels both at hitting and pitching. He is unlike anything MLB has ever seen and considering the rich, expansive history of the league, that is a massive statement."



Per Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report

The free agency of Ohtani will be unlike anything we've seen in baseball history. It should rival what happened with NBA star LeBron James back in 2010 when he went to Miami. The Angels offseason is going to have a microscope looking down on it, and it all starts with what happens with Ohtani.