Title: The Angels’ Impending Decision on Shohei Ohtani Looms Over Their Season
Publication: The Anaheim Gazette
Date: July 20, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The future of Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Angels has become the hottest topic in baseball as the trade deadline approaches. With the team languishing 6 games out of a playoff spot, speculation about Ohtani’s fate is swirling, leaving fans and players alike anxiously awaiting the organization’s decision.
The Angels, once in the running for a wild-card spot, have been on a downward spiral recently, losing 11 of their last 13 games. The team’s poor performance has only intensified the pressure on owner Arte Moreno to keep hold of their talented two-way superstar. The players are well aware of the stakes and the growing chatter surrounding their predicament.
Pitcher Reid Detmers acknowledged the constant buzz on social media, explaining, “It’s all over freakin’ MLB Network. Everybody’s tweeting about it… It’s hard not to see it.” However, while they recognize the implications, Detmers emphasized the importance of blocking out the noise and not letting it affect their performance.
The Angels, sitting at a 46-48 record and in fourth place in the AL West, must now face the reality of the attention they will receive in the coming weeks. Previously in contention for a playoff berth, the team’s recent collapse has sparked doubts about their ability to make a postseason run.
General Manager Perry Minasian had made it clear in June that trading Ohtani was not even on the table. However, as the team finds itself in limbo and trending towards irrelevancy in the standings, the decision-makers within the organization may need to reconsider their stance.
The players’ recent team meetings have focused on reminding each other that their goals are still within reach. They have access to the standings and understand the situation they find themselves in. While trade rumors may be swirling around the league, the players are focusing on giving their best effort on the field.
Reliever Carlos Estévez recounted how players from other teams had asked Ohtani about his future at the All-Star Game. Ohtani’s response, according to Estévez, was that he cannot control what will happen and expressed his desire to make it to the playoffs.
For Ohtani, leading the league with 34 home runs but having his team struggle is a conflicting situation. The Angels’ inability to provide a winning season might jeopardize their chances of retaining the superstar in free agency.
With time running out, Ohtani’s teammates hope to rewrite the narrative and prove that they can be a winning team. They are determined to focus on their own performance and control what they can on the field.
However, the constant speculation about Ohtani’s future presents an unavoidable distraction. Even during mid-game interviews, such as the one with manager Phil Nevin on Sunday, questions about a potential Ohtani trade are a constant presence.
As the trade deadline looms, the Angels must find a way to navigate the mounting pressure and uncertainty surrounding their superstar. The fate of Ohtani will undoubtedly have massive implications – both for the team and for the future of the game itself.
As fans and pundits continue to speculate, all eyes will be on the Angels as they fight to keep hold of their talismanic star and salvage their season.
(Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)