Shohei Ohtani Rumors: Insider Says Angels Superstar Prioritizing Winning Over Everything

He hasn't been shy about his desire to win at the highest level...

This entire season for the Los Angeles Angels has had a cloud hanging over them. It’s been the impending free agency of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, and the reality that he could very well leave the organization this winter.

The Angels did what they could to try and put together a team capable of making the postseason this year, it just didn’t work out. Once again they will be outside the playoff picture, and it’s another lost season for the franchise.

Since Ohtani came to the Halos, they haven’t made the playoffs. They haven’t even been close to making the playoffs either, which is why most people believe that he will indeed leave as a free agent.

Ohtani hasn’t been shy about his desire to win. It’s the most important thing to him, and so far through his big league career, that hasn’t happened. Now with his free agency coming soon, things are starting to fall into place.

MLB insider Jim Bowden is reporting that Ohtani will prioritize winning over everything this winter. This is nothing new from what we have heard before, but it seems that him winning will trump any geographical advantages for teams.

“According to that source, Ohtani will enter free agency with “an open mind and his eyes wide open.” That doesn’t mean if all things are equal Ohtani won’t pick a West Coast team over an East Coast or a Midwest team, but that outcome is not a foregone conclusion. Winning trumps everything for him.”

Per Jim Bowden of The Athletic

Ohtani was scheduled to become the first-ever $500 million man, but his recent UCL tear could complicate that a little. He will still get paid handsomely and will become the highest-paid player in history.

He is unlike any player that we have ever seen, so teams will still be fighting over his services. Ohtani just wants to win and get paid, the dream of every athlete.

“According to an industry source briefed on Ohtani’s thinking, although he prefers the West Coast, the potential to win championships will be given more weight than geography, as long as a team is willing to at least match the best offer he receives in free agency.”

Per Jim Bowden of The Athletic

His free agency will be one for the ages. It will be a highly anticipated event, and we will know where he will be playing for the foreseeable future soon enough.