The Shohei Ohtani dossier has caused a lot of ink to flow. After all, the pitcher/DH is the best baseball player on the planet and he’s wasting his time in Anaheim.
He’s the best player on the planet and he’s wasting his time in Anaheim…. we said that about Mike Trout a few years ago. No?
The difference between the two men is that Trout’s loyalty is matched only by Ohtani’s desire to win. If the Nippon feels he can’t win in Anaheim, he’ll take advantage of his autonomy to leave.
And honestly, I don’t see how he could conclude that he can win with the Angels.
The problem for the Angels is that if they can’t win with Trout AND Ohtani, they can’t do it on their current model. If the club does not make the playoffs, a reconstruction must take place.
But to rebuild, you need hope. Who better than Ohtani and Trout to accumulate?
That said, I honestly don’t believe the Angels will trade Ohtani this summer. I see them giving everything to sign him for the long term… at the risk of losing him for nothing next winter.
In such a case, Trout would remain and the club would have to rebuild. Would trading him for youngsters become the most logical avenue? Ideally, yes.
Of course, it’s not that simple. His contract is monstrous and his back pain must scare teams because of his age and his contract.
I don’t believe that trading him would allow the Angels to have his “full value”, in fact. In my opinion, its best value is in Anaheim.
I don’t know if he’ll want to leave either. And believe me: the Angels won’t trade him against his will. If he leaves, it will be with his OK not only because of his no-trade clause, but mostly out of respect for the guy.
Would any club pay enough to convince the Angels to let him go? Do the people of Anaheim would cry? Certainly.
The club might not win, but at the same time this may be the only chance to really rebuild – no offense to the owner Arte Moreno, who loves his stars.
Big questions will have to be asked in Anaheim, in any case. And like the prime de Trout is not eternal, time is running out…
