Angels Have Big Decision to Make With Shohei Ohtani

The two-way superstar is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023 MLB season.

Angels Have Big Decision to Make With Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani — There haven't been many MLB players like Shohei Ohtani.

Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023 MLB season, and the rumor mill is already heating up. The Shohei sweepstakes should be a fascinating case study in business negotiations.

The Angels say they won't trade him as long as they stay in contention, but should they?

The Japanese designated hitter-pitcher is the best two-way player in the major leagues since Babe Ruth and one of the most must-see athletes in pro sports today.

Ohtani leads the majors in home runs (28) and is third in strikeouts (127).

He is the favorite to win this year's American League MVP.

He makes $30 million in annual salary and is the highest-paid player in baseball at $70 million (counting endorsements).

When he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this MLB season, Ohtani could be the first $50 million per year player in baseball history and command a $500 million or $600 million contract.

This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Ohtani Isn't Tipping His Free-Agent Hand

Los Angeles Angels hitter Shohei Ohtani — Shohei Ohtani carries a big bat.

It won't be easy for the Angels to keep him. Besides the cost, Ohtani's heart might be on the other side of Southern California. He isn't tipping his hand, but the Los Angeles Dodgers wanted Ohtani as an 18-year-old out of Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan, and they still are big fans.

If the Angels keep Ohtani, they could make the playoffs, but their odds of winning the whole thing aren't great.

2023 AL West Division

Texas Rangers -165
Houston Astros +170
Los Angeles Angels +1100
Seattle Mariners +2400
Oakland Athletics +25000

2023 American League

Tampa Bay Rays +200
Texas Rangers +440
Houston Astros +500
New York Yankees +750
Minnesota Twins +1200
Toronto Blue Jays +1200
Baltimore Orioles +1600
Los Angeles Angels +2000

2023 World Series

Atlanta Braves +370
Tampa Bay Rays +450
Los Angeles Dodgers +470
Houston Astros +950
Texas Rangers +1000
New York Yankees +1600
San Diego Padres +2000
Toronto Blue Jays +2500
San Francisco Giants +3000
Minnesota Twins +3000
Philadelphia Phillies +3200
Arizona Diamondbacks +3200
Baltimore Orioles +3500
Los Angeles Angels +3500

Show Him the Money and the Ring

If the Angels let Ohtani walk in free agency, they would only get a draft pick in return for his departure. If the Angels trade him, they could get a massive haul for the American League MVP favorite.

2023 American League MVP

Shohei Ohtani -500
Aaron Judge +2500
Marcus Semien +4500
Wander Franco +4500
Corey Seager +4500
Bo Bichette +5500

Ohtani won the AL MVP in 2021 — just the third Angel to win the award after Don Baylor (1979) and Vladimir Guerrero (2004) — but Ohtani lost the 2022 AL MVP to Aaron Judge and wasn't happy about finishing second.

Ohtani wants to win a World Series title more than anything. His best bet might be with a team other than the Angels.

All odds are subject to change.

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