Expert Believes Angels Are Wasting Another Historic Season from Shohei Ohtani
Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani has come hot out of the gates this season. He's killing It on the mound and in the batter's box. Ohtani's numbers, especially on the mound, are video-game-like, and it's been remarkable to watch thus far.
However, we've seen this movie before, Ohtani has put up spectacular numbers since entering the league, but the Angels have failed to get him into the postseason. Time may be running out as Shohei will be a free agent after this season and could leave the Halos if he chooses to.
Even with this, the 2023 season is not even a quarter of the way done, but MLB expert for Bleacher Report Kerry Miller is worried that the Angels are wasting another year of Ohtani's greatness.
Los Angeles Angels: Squandering yet another phenomenal season from Ohtani
The two-way superstar finished second in the AL MVP vote and fourth in the AL Cy Young vote last season, and he might improve in both departments this year. Ohtani has been an above-average hitter (batting .250 with four home runs) and an absolute wizard on the mound (28.0 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 15 BB, 38 K). And what does Los Angeles have to show for it? A 10-11 record with a budding star (Logan O'Hoppe) who just landed on the IL with a shoulder injury. Per New York Post's Jon Heyman, sources around the Angels have been adamant that they won't be trading Ohtani. But we shall see.
Miller listed his worries for each team, and that was his for the Angels. The Halos have failed to surround Ohtani and Mike Trout with players who can help take them over the top.
The Halos front office did their best this past offseason, but it has yet to translate to a consistent amount of wins. Ohtani is doing his part, but that's not surprising. The Angels are too inconsistent to start the season, which could lead to missing the postseason for the ninth season in a row.
Let's hope this season isn't wasted down the drain for the Angels and Shohei's sake.