He has already decided to sign with Seattle next season. He is lowering his trade value so that the Angels don't receive any good prospects at this year's deadline. He is thinking ahead.
(Note: I do not actually believe this, but it would be pretty deviously awesome if it were true.)
It still would not surprise me if they finish the year with a winning record.
But we are seeing just how far they still have to go to compete with the big boys, and it kind of sucks.
I don't want to lose Shohei... but I don't want the Angels to pay him the ungodly amount it will take to keep him. Especially after seeing Neto, Moniak, O'Hoppe, etc.
I would enjoy seeing what prospects Minasian could get for Shohei.
On one hand, that is frustrating as hell.
On the other hand, the team is disappointing and still two games over .500. Imagine if Trout, Ohtani, and Rendon heat up.
They will win the series and I'll get my hopes up again?
(Then they will get swept at Houston and we will be reminded that they still are not nearly in the Astros' class.)