Shohei Ohtani’s season is officially over, and the Los Angeles Angels organization is expressing its disappointment as if it has a “farewell” in mind.
Ohtani’s season as a pitcher was cut short last month due to an elbow ligament injury, and he was placed on the injured list (IL) with a right oblique strain on July 17 (KST).
While there was much speculation about Ohtani removing all of his belongings from the Angels’ dugout before the game against the Detroit Tigers on April 16, he showed up in the dugout the next day after the news broke. It was business as usual as he joked around with the players.
However, the general consensus is that Ohtani’s time with the Angels is only two weeks away. When the regular season ends on October 2, the Angels will have no rights to Ohtani. He’ll be a free agent. When the World Series concludes in early November, the free agent market will open and “Ohtani time” will begin in earnest.
Ohtani is still expected to leave the Angels with a mega-contract worth more than $500 million. He’s always said he wants to win a championship, so there’s not much incentive for him to stay with the Angels. Seven teams have been mentioned as possible destinations: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox. Of the seven, the Dodgers are considered the most ideal fit for Ohtani.
The situation hasn’t gone unnoticed by Angels players and officials. Ohtani will likely have elbow surgery sooner rather than later. He will likely miss the entirety of next season as a pitcher.
On the same day that Ohtani emptied his locker, Angels manager Phil Nevin gave an interview that sounded like he was preparing for a farewell.
“I’ve already said that Ohtani is the greatest player I’ve ever seen,” Nevin told the LA Times on Sunday, “and he’s going to continue to do well. “I think he’s going to rehab just as well as anybody else, if not better. I sincerely hope he comes back with full speed and power as a two-hitter, as he always has.”
“Ohtani is the MVP again this year. I said he was MVP last year, too. I don’t know, but there’s no way he’s not the unanimous MVP this year. That can’t happen,” he said, accepting the MVP as a foregone conclusion.
On the possibility of staying with the Angels, he said, “Of course I want Ohtani. Everybody wants to be with him. All 30 teams would love to have him. If he stays, I would feel like I have the whole world,” he said, expressing his desire to re-sign him, adding, “As a manager, it will be difficult to have a player like Ohtani again.” It’s the highest praise you can get.
His teammates have been singing his praises like a couple about to break up.
“I told him, ‘I really respect everything you do,'” said finisher Carlos Estevez. It’s great to see a player like Ohtani who puts in all the effort, works hard, and tries to get better every day. My respect for him doesn’t change. I hope he stays the same player, I hope he stays humble and keeps playing baseball the way he is.”
When asked about the possibility of Ohtani receiving another Tommy John Award, Estevez said, “Why not? There are a lot of guys who have won the Tommy John Surgeon twice, and they’re doing great right now.” 먹튀검증
“It’s kind of a blessing to see a guy like him,” said starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval, whose locker is right next to Ohtani’s.
Ortiz will officially say hello to Angels fans on Oct. 2 during the regular season finale against the Oakland Athletics. First, of course, it will be a season thank you.