Expert Believes Angels' 2023 Success Will Hurt Their Future With Shohei Ohtani

The big question around The Unicorn remains unanswered.

Shohei Ohtani's future in Anaheim and potential trade packages haven't been as huge of a topic lately because the Los Angeles are actually competing near the top teams in the AL West right now. Mike Trout has stayed healthy and they are getting some major help from the rest of their roster.

Prior to this season, GM Arte Moreno revealed that LA would not entertain any blockbuster trade packages if they were still in the running for the postseason and that has been the case thus far. The Halos boast a 28-24 record as of now and only the Rangers and Astros sit ahead of them. Even though they've struggled against a number of good teams, it seems like they're starting to find their rhythm now.

And Ohtani has been having a spectacular season as expected. MVP love has remained strong for him since the first few weeks of the year and even though he's had some less than ideal pitching outings lately, a Cy Young isn't out of the question either.

The 28-year-old star is also moving past a number of records in 2023.

The MLB Tonight crew talks about Shohei Ohtani chasing history by being on pace to pitch 200 innings and give up less than 100 hits

😎🫡 pic.twitter.com/gxiN10trn3

— shobae 大谷翔平 ¹⁷ Ohtani Shohei ¹⁷ 🐶 (@shoheisaveus) May 20, 2023

But even if the Angels are able to make a playoff push this year for the first time since 2014, Ohtani could still opt to leave to free agency. That is the big risk that LA will take by not dealing him away at the trade deadline.

MLB insider Casey Stern believes that the Halos have been themselves in a terrible position by being competitive thus far into the season and that it could end up hurting them later on.

"They're a game out of the wild card," said Stern. "They're three, four games out of the division. It makes it more difficult and now they're stuck. There's no way they're going to send that message to Mike Trout specifically, that club, or the fans."

(Via MLB)

As always with the Ohtani sweepstakes, these next few months will be ultra-important and we'll have to hope for the best.