The decision by Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno to not sell the franchise, could reportedly cost the team any remaining shot it had at re-signing Shohei Ohtani before he hits the open market next winter.
Ohtani, the top free agent in 2024, is poised to become one of the highest-paid MLB players ever next winter. After taking less money to sign with the Angels when he came over from Japan in 2018, the two-way phenom could now be headed elsewhere.
Los Angeles fielded calls from teams regarding Ohtani before the 2022 MLB trade deadline. However, Moreno opted to keep the franchise star as he evaluated potential options to sell the club for at least $2 billion.
Related: MLB agents expect next Shohei Ohtani contract to eclipse $500 million
The Angels signed Ohtani to a one-year, $30 million contract in October, ensuring his return for the 2023 season with a record amount for an arbitration-eligible player. However, the 28-year-old has become increasingly frustrated with the team’s situation.
After seven consecutive losing seasons, with the Angels’ last playoff appearance coming in 2014, Moreno fielded offers for the franchise. Amid proposals valuing the franchise worth more than $2 billion, Moreno announced on Jan. 23 that he won’t sell the team.
Andy Martino wrote for SNY that many around the league believe its now far less likely Ohtani considers re-signing with the Angels following Moreno’s decision.
“The strong perception around the league was that Moreno’s decision to walk away from more than $2.5 billion made it far less likely that Ohtani, a free agent after this season, would stay in Anaheim. He was already viewed as a likely goner, but one never knows what a new owner could have done to convince him to commit.”
MLB insider Andy Martino on Shohei Ohtani’s future with Los Angeles Angels
The lone hope Los Angeles likely had at retaining Ohtani was with new ownership. At least one of the groups interested in buying the team had ties to Japan and other interested parties likely would’ve delivered a change in the organization’s approach to spending.
Under Moreno, the Angels have stayed below the MLB luxury tax line at a time when playoff contenders are spending far more than ever before. While Los Angeles has three of the highest-paid players in baseball on its roster, the lack of a supporting cast around it has helped play a significant role in the team’s postseason drought.
- Shohei Ohtani stats 2022 (hitting): .273/.356/.519, 34 home runs, 95 RBI, 142 wRC+
With Ohtani focused on playing for a perennial World Series contender, the Angels no longer become a viable threat to sign him in free agency. It will open the door for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners to land the perennial MVP candidate.
The likelihood of Ohtani leaving next winter could influence the franchise to entertain trade offers for the two-way phenom. While Moreno was adamantly opposed to it in the past, trading Ohtani might be the team’s only path to improving the entire roster and farm system.
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