Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in Major League Baseball right now. Ohtani is a two-way player, both a dominant pitcher and an explosive hitter, and his abilities have attracted a lot of attention since he arrived in the league with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. With his contract set to expire at the end of this season, Ohtani’s future with the Angels is uncertain, but former manager Joe Maddon has suggested that the team’s chances of keeping him are “not very good.”
Maddon, who managed the Angels from 2019 to 2020 and now manages the Los Angeles Dodgers, spoke about Ohtani’s future in a recent interview. He said, “I hope the Angels can keep him, but I think it’s going to be really tough. I don’t want to be negative, but if you just look at the situation, the likelihood is not very good.”
Maddon’s comments come as no surprise, as Ohtani’s value has soared over the past few years. He has become a fan favorite, a two-time All Star, and a nominee for the American League MVP award in 2021. His stats this season are impressive on both sides of the ball, with a 3.10 earned run average in 18 starts on the mound and a .258 batting average with 40 home runs and 91 RBIs.
It is the combination of Ohtani’s hitting and pitching talents that make him such an intriguing player. Many teams are likely to be interested in him when he becomes a free agent, and he could command a massive contract as a result. The Angels, who have struggled to build a strong team around Ohtani, will face a tough battle to keep him on their roster.
Maddon expressed his belief that Ohtani’s decision will likely come down to the overall strength of the team’s roster. He said, “It’s going to come down to the group of players that’s around him. Shohei is a team player and he wants to win. He’s not interested in just individual accolades. He’s very competitive and he wants to be with a team that has a chance to win a World Series.”
The Angels have made some moves to try to build a supporting cast around Ohtani, including signing star third baseman Anthony Rendon last offseason. However, they have struggled in recent years, and Maddon’s comments seem to suggest that Ohtani may be looking for a team with a stronger overall roster.
There is no doubt that Ohtani will be a highly sought-after free agent this offseason. Many teams will be interested in signing him, but the Angels will try to keep him in the fold. Whether or not they are able to do so remains to be seen, but Maddon’s comments suggest that it will be a difficult task. The Angels will need to make some significant moves to convince Ohtani that they are serious about contending for a World Series title.
