Los Angeles Angels

Should he hit the open market after the 2023 season, Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be on the radar for just about every team that can afford to sign him, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"I don't want to say he's going to the Dodgers next year because every team...listen, the Yankees are gonna be on him," Passan said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show. "Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, the Mets are gonna be in on him. The Cubs are gonna be in on him. The Pirates are not gonna be in. ... Yeah, Red Sox will be on him."

Ohtani is a truly generational two-way talent who followed up his 2021 Most Valuable Player season by being nearly just as good in 2022.

The 28-year-old had 34 home runs, 95 RBI and a .273/.356/.519 slash line at the plate. On the mound, he went 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts in 166 innings. He was runner-up to Aaron Judge in the MVP voting and placed fourth on the Cy Young ballot.

If he reaches free agency, then every single team in MLB should at least make overtures his way. Of course, his price tag will limit that pool substantially because The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported in June he might eclipse Max Scherzer's record-setting $43.3 million average salary.

There's still the chance Ohtani doesn't reach free agency.

General manager Perry Minasian told reporters in November the Angels have every intention of keeping him on the roster by Opening Day, and this is the same franchise that signed Mike Trout to the biggest contract in MLB history (12 years, $426.5 million).

Team owner Arte Moreno's exploration of a sale presents an obvious variable. But if he does truly intend to sell the Angels within the next few years, then he won't be the one paying Ohtani for a majority of the deal. And you'd think having Ohtani on the roster is something a new owner would prefer rather than trading him or letting him walk as a free agent.

In the event Ohtani plays out his final year with the Angels and doesn't agree to an extension, it could set off a bidding war for the ages next winter.

The Los Angeles Angels are hoping to have new ownership in place by the start of the 2023 season.

"The point at which people actually see financial information is an important step forward in the process," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters on Tuesday at the winter meetings. "My understanding is that the club would like to have the sale resolved before Opening Day. Whether that happens I think depends in part on the bidding process and how quickly you can get documents done."

In August, longtime owner Arte Moreno and the franchise announced that he was investigating a possible sale of the team:

Today, Angels Baseball announced that the Organization has initiated a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the team. pic.twitter.com/ZdQb34V4Ns

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 23, 2022

Moreno, 76, has owned the Angels since 2003. Under his watch, the team has reached the postseason six times and won just two playoff series. They have now gone eight straight seasons without a postseason berth despite having one of the game's biggest stars, Mike Trout, and more recently, 2021 AL MVP Shohei Ohtani.

His ownership has been marked by several controversies and some ill-advised, high-profile signings that failed to pan out. It has also been marked by seven straight losing seasons after a promising start to his ownership, which included five AL West divisional titles in seven years.

Moreno, to his credit, wasn't shy about spending money. The players he's given the green light to spend that money on have largely been the issue.

"The infrastructure needs to be improved. There's a lot of things that need to be improved there," former manager Joe Maddon told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times in August regarding the Angels' organization. "[Trout and Ohtani] can't do it alone, obviously. It's the non-sexy stuff that has to get better. It's not just bright, shiny objects—they have that."

"They need to do the infrastructure better in order to get to where we had been in the past," he continued. "That was my goal, to get the Angels back to where we had been in the past. That was it. Nothing but pure intentions. I was an Angel. They had every ounce of me. And now that's done."

Perhaps by Opening Day, the Moreno era will be done as well.

The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly hope to make a run at Los Angeles Angels superstar pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in free agency next year.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Ohtani is the "player they truly want," which could lead the Dodgers to be less aggressive in free agency than usual this offseason.

While Rosenthal noted the Dodgers could make a run at shortstop Carlos Correa on a short-term deal after losing Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies, they may also be content with value signings like bringing back third baseman Justin Turner and adding outfielder Kevin Kiermaier in anticipation of going after Ohtani.

Ohtani was one of the biggest free agents to ever come out of Japan, and the Angels beat out several suitors to sign him ahead of the 2018 season.

In October, the Angels signed him to a one-year, $30 million contract to avoid arbitration, marking the largest one-year deal ever given to an arbitration-eligible player in MLB history.

They have yet to reach a long-term extension, however, and he could hit the open market next year.

Ohtani has been every bit as good as advertised as a two-way player, especially over the past two seasons.

In 2021, Ohtani made the All-Star team for the first time and won the American League MVP award by virtue of hitting .257 with 46 home runs, 100 RBI, 103 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. If that wasn't enough, he started 23 games as a pitcher as well, going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings.

If New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge didn't break the single-season AL record with 62 home runs, Ohtani likely would have won a second consecutive MVP award in 2022.

His offensive numbers were down slightly, as he hit .273 with 34 homers, 95 RBI, 90 runs and 11 steals, but he turned into a bona fide ace pitcher.

The Japanese star set career highs in starts (28), wins (15), innings (166) and strikeouts (219). His 2.33 ERA and 1.01 WHIP were career bests as well.

Ohtani earned an All-Star selection for the second time, and he finished second in MVP voting and fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting, putting a bow on one of the most remarkable seasons in MLB history.

For as great as Ohtani and teammate Mike Trout have been, the Angels have not reached the playoffs since 2014. That could lead Ohtani to test the market and could push the Angels to rebuild.

If any of that happens, the Dodgers may be an ideal landing spot for Ohtani, as he wouldn't have to go far.

The Dodgers have been a model of consistency, reaching the playoffs in 10 straight seasons, including World Series appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and a World Series win in 2020.

The Dodgers are stacked enough in pitching and offense to be World Series contenders in 2023 without a big-name signing, but the arrival of Ohtani for the 2024 season might make them clear-cut favorites again.

Japanese free-agent pitcher Koudai Senga has drawn interest from the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

The soon-to-be 30-year-old had a 1.89 ERA across 23 appearances for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks last season in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. Across 11 professional seasons, he has a 2.42 ERA in 275 games while averaging 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

He filed for international free agency in October and has become one of the top players still available on the market.

Michael Mayer of Metsmerized provided a breakdown of Senga's repertoire:

Kodai Senga has been up to 102 mph, throws a ghost forkball, slider, curve & cutter. 1.89 ERA in 148 innings this year.

Senga’s agent noted Kodai would like to play in a big market on a win now team and is versed in/wants to learn more about analytics.

pic.twitter.com/EUd4RmxucB

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) November 14, 2022

Scouts also got a chance to see him against American hitters as he helped Japan beat the United States in the gold medal game at the 2020 Olympics.

Senga is drawing significant interest around the majors, with the Angels hoping to pair him with fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani. The Red Sox could offer Senga a major market, while the Blue Jays could be close to contention after finishing 90-72 last season.

These teams will still have to compete with others who have already made a move for Senga.

Morosi previously reported the Red Sox and New York Yankees had already spoken with Senga's representatives, while the New York Mets and San Diego Padres met with the pitcher himself, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Chicago Cubs have also monitored him, per Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.

With aces Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander already signed, it could force teams to be more aggressive in pursuing Senga.

Shohei Ohtani is coming home.

The Los Angeles Angels star revealed Thursday that he plans to represent Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which is being held partially in Tokyo next March.

"I have officially informed Team Japan Manager Mr. Kuriyama that I would like to participate in next year's WBC," Ohtani said in a statement posted on Instagram. "Looking forward for the opportunity to face the best players around the world and to be able to play in front of the Japanese fans for the first time in over 5 years!!"

Ohtani was born and raised in Japan and played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels before the 2018 season. He was previously on the roster for Japan's 2017 World Baseball Classic team but missed the event with an ankle injury.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the WBC scheduled for March 2021. Ohtani was unable to compete for the gold medal-winning Japanese team at the 2020 Summer Olympics (which were held in the summer of 2021) because of the MLB season.

It's unclear whether Ohtani will play both ways in the WBC. From a financial perspective, it's hard to justify him potentially risking injury in what amounts to an exhibition tournament. Ohtani will make $30 million next season in the final year before he hits unrestricted free agency, at which time he will have one of the more curious contract negotiations in MLB history.

The 28-year-old is one of baseball's best power pitchers and power hitters, a once-in-a-century talent who has finished top-two in AL MVP voting for two successive seasons. He has also dealt with significant injuries over the course of his career, including Tommy John surgery in 2018.

While there is always a risk any time a player takes the field, the additional toll of the WBC should be a factor players who are nearing free agency consider before deciding to play. Ohtani has apparently made that calculation for himself and decided representing his country is worth the risk.

2022 All-Star starting pitcher Tyler Anderson reportedly has found a new home in free agency, but he won't have to go far.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Anderson has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Los Angeles Angels after turning down the qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. MLB Network's Mark Feinsand added that Anderson's deal with the Angels is for $39 million over three years.

A seven-year veteran, Anderson put forth the best season of his career while playing on a one-year, $8 million contract with the Dodgers. The 6'2" lefty made 28 starts and two relief appearances in 2022, finishing with a 15-5 record while posting a 2.57 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 178.2 innings of work.

Anderson joins an Angels starting rotation that also includes Shohei Ohtani, Patrick Sandoval, José Suarez and Reid Detmers. Ohtani is the only right-handed starter on the team at the moment, though it's possible that the Angels will look to add another free agent to the staff this offseason.

However, Anderson is joining an Angels franchise that is surrounded by uncertainty. Longtime owner Arte Moreno announced plans to sell the team. Ohtani, the 2021 American League MVP, has one year left on his contract before becoming a free agent next winter. General manager Perry Minasian said last week that L.A. has no intentions of trading Ohtani despite the substantial interest from teams around the majors.

Losing Anderson is a blow to the depth of the Dodgers' starting rotation, which will also be missing Walker Buehler for the majority of next year after he underwent Tommy John surgery. The team still has a strong staff led by Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and veteran Clayton Kershaw, who recently agreed to a one-year deal to return to Los Angeles in 2023.

In his five MLB seasons, Shohei Ohtani's individual success has not been matched by team success, causing many to question his future with the Los Angeles Angels. However, the 2021 American League MVP won't be going anywhere this offseason.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters on Monday that the two-way phenom will not be traded "at all" this winter and will begin the 2023 season in Los Angeles.

It's not necessarily surprising that the Angels would want to hold on to one of the greatest talents in the majors. However, it would have been interesting to see what teams would have given up for Ohtani after he was pulled off the market over the summer despite garnering substantial interest at the 2022 trade deadline.

Ohtani has yet to play in the postseason during his MLB career. The 28-year-old is in his prime and put together another incredible campaign in 2022.

He ranked third in the AL with 219 strikeouts and fourth with a 2.33 ERA while putting together a 15-9 record on the mound. He was also impressive at the plate, hitting .273/.356/.519 with 36 home runs and a team-high 95 RBI.

The Angels are a team in transition entering this offseason. Arte Moreno announced his intentions to sell the franchise, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported last week that the plan is "serious and will happen." Heyman added that Moreno "should receive a record price" that exceeds Steve Cohen's $2.4 billion purchase of the New York Mets.

Ohtani is set to receive $30 million for the 2023 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024. It's hard to imagine a team trading for him without a commitment to a long-term extension. There's a chance that he plays the entire year in Los Angeles before getting an opportunity to explore his options next offseason.

Shohei Ohtani signed a $30 million extension with the Los Angeles Angels at the beginning of October, avoiding arbitration and seemingly ensuring he returns to the team for one more season. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported, though, that the All-Star may still end up on the trade block amid his impending free agency and a sale of the team.

Should that happen, the competition for Ohtani would be fierce and plentiful, with top-tier teams looking to acquire the generational talent. It would also spell the end of what has been an admittedly frustrating few years with the Angels.

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Frustration in Los Angeles

Ohtani is, arguably, the best player in baseball. He is a two-way stud, elite in both pitching and hitting, but has spent his career playing for an Angels team that has been frustratingly mediocre, at best.

He has not been quiet in his frustration with the team, either.

In an October interview at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, he said of the team's 2022 season, "I have to say that August and September, in particular, felt longer to me than last year. We were not able to play as many good games as we would like — including 14 consecutive losses. So I have a rather negative impression of this season" (h/t Fox Sports).

A negative impression, despite a season that saw him go 15-9 on the mound, with 28 starts and an ERA of .233, and added 34 home runs, 95 RBIs and an OPS of .875 at the plate. Personally, he was excellent but he has made it clear that he has aspirations beyond his own.

Shohei Ohtani this season became the very first MLB player in the entire World Series era to qualify for the leaderboards as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same year. 🦄 pic.twitter.com/bJosE6YuAs

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 28, 2022

"I like the fans. I like the atmosphere in the organization. But my feelings of wanting to win are stronger," he told reporters prior to the All-Star game in July.

A trade to a contending team would provide him with the opportunity to compete for the playoffs, let alone a world championship, neither of which he has had the opportunity to do over the course of his MLB career.

To acquire him, though, several teams would have to reevaluate their free agency plans.

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Reevaluating for Ohtani

We know that Aaron Judge is going to command north of $300 million this offseason. We know that the shortstop market is flooded with great players such as Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson. We also know that pitcher Jacob deGrom may command an even greater AAV than Mets teammate Max Scherzer from whichever team hopes to acquire his services.

How does that change if Ohtani becomes available?

A contending team who was prepared to spend wildly on one of those free agents may be more inclined to focus on Ohtani and gathering both the prospects that would be needed to acquire him from Los Angeles and the money necessary to lock him up for the long-term.

If Ohtani is available, it may adversely affect the rush to bring Judge in, especially since a team can benefit on both sides of the ball from the former. The same goes for deGrom, who might find fewer suitors ready to jump at the start of free agency.

A team that may have sunk a Scherzer-esque $43 million a year into deGrom will now have the opportunity to evaluate that deal versus bringing in a great pitcher and hitter in one. That is not to say that Ohtani is the home run threat that Judge is or that he is the best pitcher of his era, which deGrom may very well be.

Ohtani presents a scenario where a team can get an elite player at two positions as opposed to paying significant sums for another free agent who is really only elite at one. A team will still throw significant amounts of money at Judge, not only for his long-ball abilities but because he is a known star from the biggest market in baseball.

Ditto deGrom, who will attract attention from teams who need an ace pitcher, is chasing a World Series, and know they will not have the capital to complete an Ohtani deal.

For everyone else, the moment it is known Ohtani is on the trading block, there will be a swift revisiting of free agency plans, with new prioritization among desired players.

This past season, the Los Angeles Angels were able to extend star pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani. However, they were unable to land a commitment beyond the 2023 MLB season.

Naturally, the absence of a long-term deal—along with some postseason comments from the 28-year-old—have led to some offseason trade buzz.

“I have to say that August and September in particular felt longer to me than last year," Ohtani said, speaking in Japanese, per Koji Ueda of the Associated Press. “We were not able to play as many good games as we would like—including 14 consecutive losses. So I have a rather negative impression of this season."

With Ohtani disappointed in how things went for the Angels in 2022, teams have wondered if he'd be happier playing elsewhere—and if L.A. would be willing to deal the megastar.

According to SNY's Andy Martino, Los Angeles is not interested in making the two-time All-Star available.

"The Angels are showing no appetite to discuss Ohtani at present, say several teams who have checked in," he wrote.

While dealing Ohtani would undoubtedly bring back a valuable package of picks and prospects, L.A. would be wise to stay patient and continue working on a long-term deal.

There are a couple of reasons for this, the first being that the Angels have no reason to rush. Ohtani is under team control for another season, thanks to the one-year, $30 million extension. There's no reason to panic-trade him at the present.

While Ohtani may be displeased with how things have unfolded in L.A.—the Angels last made the postseason in 2014—that doesn't mean he's unhappy with the organization itself. It simply means that he wants to win, and the team has an opportunity to show him it can do just that.

Rather than trading Ohtani and starting another rebuild, the Angels should focus on improving the roster in free agency. Chasing one of the impending free-agent shortstops, like Trea Turner or Carlos Correa (opt-out) would make a ton of sense. Finding another standout outfielder to partner with Mike Trout would also be logical.

Hitting should be a priority, as the Angels scored the sixth-fewest runs in baseball last season.

Ohtani and Trout form a fine foundation. With another high-end piece or two, the Angels should be able to improve on last year's 73-89 record.

Forging a contender should help make Ohtani happy and therefore more likely to sign a long-term deal. And keeping the unique superstar for the long haul should be Priority No. 1 in Los Angeles.

Ohtani can be the centerpiece of a perennial contender. This past season, he batted .273 with 34 home runs and 95 RBI. He also went 15-9 as a starting pitcher with a 2.33 ERA.

Shohei Ohtani this season became the very first MLB player in the entire World Series era to qualify for the leaderboards as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same year. 🦄 pic.twitter.com/bJosE6YuAs

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 28, 2022

The Angels essentially have two stars—an ace pitcher and a standout hitter—in one player. That's great for the on-field product. It's also important for the bottom line. With all due respect to Trout, Ohtani is the franchise's biggest draw and one of the few players in the sport casual fans will turn up to see.

This leads us to another important factor to consider: The fact that the Angels are up for sale.

"The Los Angeles Angels will be sold for at least $3 billion, a record price for a baseball franchise, several MLB owners believe," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote last month. "The negotiations are brisk, and the sale is expected to be consummated within the next few months."

As a product, the Angels will be much more attractive with Ohtani on the roster. Therefore, it's already unlikely that he will be dealt before the franchise changes ownership.

In the interim, the team's decision-makers, including general manager Perry Minasian, must continue laying the foundation for a more permanent contract. The executive must also be aggressive in putting more talent around players like Ohtani, Trout and Jared Walsh.

Having a stronger foundation will help Los Angeles get back to the postseason in the near future and help ensure that Ohtani wants to stick around for the foreseeable future.

If the Angels can't provide that, if L.A. struggles in 2023 and if Ohtani is still unwilling to commit beyond this season? Well, Los Angeles will still be able to flip Ohtani for a huge package at the trade deadline.