The Los Angeles Angels are forecasting how and where the offseason will trend for their roster, most importantly with where Shohei Ohtani will land.
The two-way star is assuredly to receive a contract of that the league hasn’t seen, both with total value, and with its structure. Because Ohtani won’t be available to pitch until he’s healed from a recent elbow surgery in 2025, there could be some incentive points in the contract.
Regardless, he’s on track to win his second MVP, and without a deal in place to stay with the Angels, the scenario that he’s elsewhere is more reason to appreciate his prowess on the field. Ohtani wants to win, as he’s spoke on when asked in the past.
This is an issue for the Angels without their franchise timeline, but that won’t stop them from being heavy players in their hopes to keep Ohtani with the team, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
The Angels and Dodgers both will make a play, sources say. Most are writing off the incumbent team, but Ohtani did put together three extraordinary seasons over there. The Angels are so invested in Ohtani they may be the one big-market team not in on pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Mike Trout could be a factor in their pursuit of Ohtani, and if there isn’t a plan to shift the franchise towards a sustainable model of winning, they might consider putting their chips elsewhere for the long haul.
What the Angels should do with Mike Trout if Shohei Ohtani signs elsewhere?
Striking gold on one generational player within a 10-year block is usually enough to build a franchise around, the first of which was Trout. When the Angels selected him in the first round with the 25th overall pick, it took him just two years to reach the big league level at the age of 19.
He’s since become a pillar of the organization, but the front office has failed miserably in building up the farm system, which would then allow the team to create a pathway for young, controllable players to fill out the roster.
But if the Angels trading Trout hinges on one thing, it’s that the receiving team decides that gambling on a 32-year-old making a base salary of $35.45 million a season until he’s 38 would be a wise investment.
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