Los Angeles Angels General Manager Perry Minasian said Monday that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is off the table for trade.
Ohtani, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Angels, is arguable the greatest player in professional baseball today. Not only does Ohtani pitch at an elite level, he is also a deadly designated hitter. After Los Angeles missed out on the postseason in 2022 for the eighth straight season, rumors flew that the former MVP could be traded prior to the start of the 2023 campaign before he explored other opportunities in free-agency.
During a recent general managers meeting in Las Vegas, Minasian shot down the idea of trading the 28-year-old. According to the Los Angeles Times, Minasian said Ohtani would “be here to start the season.”
“I know there’s been rumors and all types of things, but he will be part of the club. We love the player and I think the goal is for him to be here for a long time,” Minasian added.
Shohei Ohtani is staying with the Angels in 2023. pic.twitter.com/iZ6ckYPtjs
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) November 8, 2022
If Minasian stays true to his word, the Angels run the risk of losing Ohtani in free agency next year and getting nothing in return for him at all.
If Los Angeles were to trade Ohtani now, they’d likely acquire boatloads of draft picks, players and assets in exchange for him that could help improve their roster for future success. According to CBS Sports, the Angels are in midst of the longest postseason drought in baseball right now. For the Angels to pull themselves out from the mud, the first step would be to trade Ohtani while they still can. (RELATED: Shohei Ohtani Player Signs Historic One-Year Contract With Los Angeles. They’re About To Get Their Money’s Worth)
The Angels’ decision to not trade Ohtani may come back to bite them. If the Angels fall flat on their faces again in 2023 and can’t get Ohtani to resign, they will forever regret keeping the two-way star and getting nothing in return for him.