So many people are completely discounting Ohtani returning to the Angels. But he’s got a place in his heart for the team, the fans. Angels have a legit shot of him returning.
This is why any transactions or lack thereof at this point will be very telling to me. Was it all hogwash or was he telling the truth about wanting to win? The Angels still need pitching one way or another.
Perhaps the greatest challenge of going to a direct-to-consumer model is you have to compel consumers to actually subscribe - and keep them once they do. But this great unbundling of teams from local RSNs could be good for the consumer since it figures to force teams to put a better product on the field, court, and ice.
Taken from the article Fletcher linked. The deterioration of cable networks and subsequently RSN’s could be good for sports in that it forces Owners to put a good product on the field. Having Ohtani would most definitely keep a core audience for some time. Also, winning would do that as well.
“Baseball America placed him on their top 100 list for four straight years beginning in 2016, including placing Sheffield in the top 50 for the latter two years of that stretch.”
Just shows that the top 100 Prospect list can be overrated.
The next Angels transaction will be very interesting. Will it be telling? Not much left as far as free agents. But a trade would be definitely intriguing if it was a big one.
With Ohtani and Trout, the Angels worth couldn’t be greater. If Arte holds on to this team and let’s Ohtani walk, and doesn’t do even more to get Angels to the playoff, no way, no how he gets any where near $2B in 4-5 years.
My thoughts…Trout is hungry to play in meaningful games and this is his opportunity. I can’t blame him at all. If playing in the WBC somehow leads to an injury that affects his season, I’d be disappointed but still wouldn’t blame him. He’s given a lot to the Angels, only to be let down season after season.