Passan: Shohei Ohtani Could Be Traded, 'Will Definitely' Leave Angels If LA Struggles

[Second Base]

Taking emotion out of it, or at least attempting to...

He chose the Angels because they were on the West Coast, traded to offer him more money as an amateur, had Mike Trout, had a spend happy owner, loved Billy Eppler and Mike Scioscia's plan they built for him, and they were an AL team, meaning he didn't have to play the field. 

It was the ideal confluence of factors that brought him to the Angels. 

And from what we think we know...

1. Money isn't the most important factor. 

2. He wants to win. 

3. He's a very good teammate. 

--------

So looking at where the Angels are now. Billy Eppler and Mike Scioscia are gone. Almost all his teammates from when he signed are gone. The DH only being in the AL is gone. The Angels haven't won, their future prospects at winning are neither bleak nor certain. 

I just don't think he re-ups. I think he ends up either in San Francisco or New York. 

And to address the next question, will they trade him? I think it's been said enough times already. The Angels won't be bad enough to trade him away. So they'll get nothing for losing him, but when he goes into the HOF someday, he'll wear an Angel hat, just like Vlad and Mike. 

[Jason]

3 hours ago, warped said:

Shohei is an Angel4life

Physically or in his heart?

[nando714]

20 games into the season and according to Passan the season is over 

[AngelsFaninGA]

7 minutes ago, nando714 said:

20 games into the season and according to Passan the season is over 

Watching this team play, it's very easy to make that conclusion. 

[Swordsman78]

38 minutes ago, AngelsFaninGA said:

Watching this team play, it's very easy to make that conclusion. 

Loser mentality 

[Adam]

They should trade him regardless of what their record is vs. give him 10/500 - that would be retarded

[failos]

Passan can fuck right on off. This is like politics, these talking heads are creating narratives to stir drama and bring Ohtani to the team of their choice

[failos]

Shohei will re-sign with the Angels. He’s no Kevin Durant.

[AngelsFaninGA]

Eh, it's not my money and this org is going nowhere regardless of whether they pay him, trade him, or let him leave for nothing. At least he gives us something to watch while the team struggles to play .500 ball. 

[failos]

9 minutes ago, Swordsman78 said:

Loser mentality 

Not taking sides here, but I would argue that blind optimism is a loser’s mentality. Being realistic is not a bad thing. So check yourself.

Edited April 20, 2023 by failos

[Halo in Chicago]

What if we struggle in part bc he strikes out a lot and grounds out to second a lot in big spots? 
 

I love watching him and think he’s amazing, but he’s part of the issue when we struggle to score. 

[Swordsman78]

54 minutes ago, failos said:

Shohei will re-sign with the Angels. He’s no Kevin Durant.

Blind optimism or being realistic?

[Vegas Halo Fan]

2 hours ago, failos said:

Passan can fuck right on off. This is like politics, these talking heads are creating narratives to stir drama and bring Ohtani to the team of their choice Yankees or Dodgers.

Fixed it.

[Ron Mexico]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10073192-shohei-ohtani-trade-rumors-zero-percent-chance-angels-deal-superstar-amid-buzz

[Don3347]

They'd be crazy NOT to trade him if he doesn't commit to the Angels soon. We're not contenders and an infusion of young talent would be better than an Ohtani who walks at seasons end.  

[UndertheHalo]

Oh 

[UndertheHalo]

The Angels are in a bad situation.  It’s a classic damned if you do, damned if you don’t conundrum.  They’re obviously worse off in the short term if he leaves, and it’s terrible for the fans.  But there’s no point in signing him up if Arte isn’t going to change.  I see no reason to assume he will.  There’s no reason to keep Ohtani around and it’s probably a mistake to do so if Arte isn’t going to dramatically increase payroll.  Im talking more than $230 million a year.  At least. I’m pretty skeptical of that.  Of course if he does do that -  then great. 

[Jason]

10 minutes ago, UndertheHalo said:

The Angels are in a bad situation.  It’s a classic damned if you do, damned if you don’t conundrum.  They’re obviously worse off in the short term if he leaves, and it’s terrible for the fans.  But there’s no point in signing him up if Arte isn’t going to change.  I see no reason to assume he will.  There’s no reason to keep Ohtani around and it’s probably a mistake to do so if Arte isn’t going to dramatically increase payroll.  Im talking more than $230 million a year.  At least. I’m pretty skeptical of that.  Of course if he does do that -  then great. 

The way I see it is it doesn’t really matter because they’ve been a terrible team with or without him

[AngelsLakersFan]

8 hours ago, James said:

Its time to sit down with his agent and have conversations. If they are not being clear on their intent, you trade him. You dont come with some bs offer though, you come with a legitimate offer that you can afford. Quite frankly, we shouldn't want any player that isnt all in, thats not a good foundation to build chemistry and a winning tradition. Put the ball in Ohtani's court already. 

His agent has already essentially said he is going to test free agency.

[AngelsLakersFan]

6 hours ago, Make Angels Great Again said:

[jsnpritchett]

9 minutes ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

His agent has already essentially said he is going to test free agency.

Yep.  Which is why they 100% should trade him if they're not in the thick of the playoff race at the deadline.

[happybat4]

Trade him and get what you can. This past off-season probably would have been the best time to trade him.

 

Maybe Trout will waive his no trade clause and go too 

[Jason]

4 minutes ago, happybat4 said:

Trade him and get what you can. This past off-season probably would have been the best time to trade him.

 

Maybe Trout will waive his no trade clause and go too 

Trout might at this point but his contract and injury history will make him very hard to move 

[Angels 1961]

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

Trout might at this point but his contract and injury history will make him very hard to move 

Package Trout and Ohtani in biggest blockbuster ever. 

[AngelFanInTheATL]

5 hours ago, nando714 said:

20 games into the season and according to Passan the season is over 

He didn't say that