Playoff-hungry Ohtani eyes MLB free agency: 'It sucks to lose'

With Trout now out for the next 4-8 weeks, the Angels chances of making the playoffs and thereby possibly keeping Ohtani just dropped further,

I never understood why he chose the Angels to begin with. I assume it's because they agreed to let him pitch and bat, which other teams wouldn't commit to.

A logical choice for him would be the Dodgers, as the physical change would be minimal. And, they are usually in contention.

OTOH, we know how the Japanese are obsessed with New York. So, if he had an offer from the Yankees or Mets, he would probably put them at the top of his list. (I'd certainly like to see him in a Mets uniform.)

"I'm focused on this season right now," Ohtani said of free agency. "I just want to do my best to get as many wins as possible."

Angel's should trade him as soon as possible, and get the highest value in return that they can. Sure the fans are going to hate it, but to get zero in return, for a couple of months of a one man show, would be even more painful in the long run!

OTOH, we know how the Japanese are obsessed with New York. So, if he had an offer from the Yankees or Mets, he would probably put them at the top of his list. (I'd certainly like to see him in a Mets uniform.)

Nah, it's not about the Japanese fans, it's about Otani. He wanted a small market team, and not the spotlight of New York.

He wants to win, and the Met's are a mess, he'd be better off in Seattle, or Texas. Atlanta be a great spot in the NL for him too!

And countdown until he is on the Yankees or Dodgers.

It is highly doubtful that Japanese pitcher and designated hitter Shohei OHTANI actually said, "sucks"...

"I've never been a free agent before so I'm not sure how that's going to be," Ohtani said.

It's going to be a giant pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! He's going to be able to command a lot of money.

Personally, I'd love to see him across town in Dodger blues.

It sucks to lose

Crybaby

I hear the Yankees suck this year without Judge so not sure that’s the sort of team he’d want to join.

Yubaru

Nah, it's not about the Japanese fans, it's about Otani. He wanted a small market team, and not the spotlight of New York.

Yeah. A small market team. That must be why he chose Los Angeles. ¯(ツ)/¯

(I know. It's actually Anaheim. But, it's the same market.)

As far as team ownership goes, the Japanese fans are a big reason for them. He brings in the dollars in ticket sales, merchandising, and lots of JP product advertising.

ballsahoy

And countdown until he is on the Yankees or Dodgers.

Yep. Those are the two most likely. But, I'd still like to see him in a Mets uniform. With the addition of both his arm and his bat, he can really help get them back in contention next year. (Just wishful thinking, I know.)

Speed

Personally, I'd love to see him across town in Dodger blues.

There's a good chance you'll get your wish....unfortunately. ;-)

He loses?

Every article I read on here or see on TV shows him winning...

He should join the exodus from California and go to Texas, 2 competitive teams.

As the first starring MLB regular fielder and pitcher since Babe Ruth ...

Ohtani isn't a fielder when he doesn't pitch. He's a DH.

Ruth was a fielder when he wasn't pitching. There was no DH in those days.

If the Angels don't immediately start winning after the All Star break (and they've got the Astros and Yankees right after the break, so good luck with that), I wouldn't be surprised if Ohtani actually asked to be traded.

He may even ask to be dealt to a specific team -- my hunch would be the Dodgers.

If he's going to leave after this season anyway, the Angels might as well get something good in return for him.

The Angels started off the season so well and then everything just fell apart. : (

I can’t see him going anywhere other than LA or NY. So Dodgers, Yankees or Mets.

Dodgers have deep pockets to afford Ohtani and are in dire need of a stable pitcher; Mays done for the year, Urias hasn’t been what he was last year and the bullpen is flaky.

It seems unfair that he gets to play with mere earthlings. Perhaps he should return to his own planet. His only weakness seems to be kryptonite.

Ohtani isn't a fielder when he doesn't pitch. He's a DH.

Dont worry, accuracy in reporting is not a priority!

 His only weakness seems to be kryptonite.

If that were true, he would be throwing perfect games, every time out, and batting 1.000, but he doesnt.

His weakness is a penchant for wildness on occasion.

You cannot have your cake and eat it too,if you are not a 20 games plus winner ,you are an average pitcher,if you are not hitting,50 HR you could not be considered a dominant hitter

Yrral

Please either re-read your comments before posting, or find a book on punctuation and grammar. Aside from that, you cannot be serious about a pitcher needing to win 20 games to be above average. History is against you. It is the same with being a dominate hitter needing 50 home runs. History, again, proves you wrong. Besides, we're talking about the only player in history who pitches and hits on a full-time basis. Mr. Ohtani is one of only 6 .300 hitters in the American League and is leading all the the majors in home runs. He is also 3rd in the AL in pitching strike outs. He has a .692 win-loss percentage. What have you got against this guy? Learn punctuation, grammar, and while you're at it, learn baseball history.

"Ruth was a fielder when he wasn't pitching. There was no DH in those days."

Yup, and there was no African American players either back then. Babe Ruth only played against white players. And he was a two way player only for one season.

Based

If the Angels don't immediately start winning after the All Star break (and they've got the Astros and Yankees right after the break, so good luck with that), I wouldn't be surprised if Ohtani actually asked to be traded.

That would not make financial sense for him. Although, I suppose he'd still be a free agent soon enough at his new team. In either case, he is going to be so friggin' rich.

He may even ask to be dealt to a specific team -- my hunch would be the Dodgers.

Unless it's a provision of his contract, he has no say in the matter. Angels ownership would obviously want to get the maximum human capital in exchange, regardless of the trading team.

If he's going to leave after this season anyway, the Angels might as well get something good in return for him.

Yes, which is why his preference doesn't matter as much as theirs.