MLB Columnist Details Angels' Comforting Environment as Reason for Ohtani to Re-Sign

His situation is quite nice in Anaheim!

It could be argued that every win or loss for the Angels in their 2023 season could play a role in whether or not Shohei Ohtani decides to resign with the organization. Every team that is already a contender or looking to become one will be trying to get a free agency meeting with the 28-year-old superstar and his decision will be as big as any other notable athlete in any sport ever.

LA remains competitive and en route to fighting for a playoff spot so every day it looking less likely that we'll see Ohtani playing for a new clubhouse once the trade deadline rolls around. The Halos' front office made it clear this would be the case prior to the season opener and they will likely take the risk of losing him for nothing.

The biggest arguing point that the Angels can use, other than the fact they have Mike Trout on their roster, is that they are all Ohtani has know during his MLB career. They welcomed him in back in 2018 and supported him as he rose to stardom. LA's system is built around accommodating to him and even though they haven't had much success, Anaheim has been home for him.

#ShoheiOhtani has had a historic career, but this is one of his best works 😂 😂 https://t.co/f0cNh4DpMU

— Angels TopPlays (@PlaysAngels) June 9, 2023

The LA Times' Dylan Hernandez took a deep dive into whether or not the Angels would explore any Ohtani at the deadline and he doesn't think so. Reports surfaced that sources that know how the team thinks doesn't want to give up on re-signing him just yet.

And Hernandez doubled down on the fact that the Halos' franchise have put together a very comfortable environment for Ohtani to thrive in and they hope that will help their chances at keeping him.

"The Angels have created for him an environment in which he can more or less do what he wants when he wants. His media obligations are limited to postgame scrums on nights he pitches. He calls his own pitches, even though results point to him being better off with his catchers making those decisions; he’s posted a 5.06 earned-run average during his past eight starts."

(Via LA Times)

Ohtani definitely is not a superstar that loves being in headlines for reasons outside of baseball so maybe he will want to remain with the Angels and continue the lifestyle he has gotten accustomed to.