Any time you have a sports icon like Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani stuck on a non-contending team, there will always be sharks trying to pull the 2021 AL MVP to a more viable World Series winner.
Ohtani’s clearly one of the best players in baseball, both at the plate and on the mound. Yet, despite being in MLB since 2018, he’s yet to be on a playoff team. It’s not like he’s the only one around, with three-time AL MVP Mike Trout also manning center field, but the Angels have yet to field even a .500 ballclub since the two paired up.
Earlier this week, a report suggested the 28-year-old superstar could be traded if the Angels once again fall out of contention this season. But now Jon Heyman of The New York Post indicates that may not be the case.
Instead, the MLB insider suggests there is a “zero percent chance” Ohtani will be traded by the Angels. Yet, while Heyman and his sources with the Angels note the team does not want to trade the face of the franchise, another key factor could force eventually force their hand.
Ohtani will be eligible for free agency once the season concludes. Depending on where the Angels sit in the standings when the August 1 trade deadline comes around, maybe Los Angeles will be singing a different tune, but for now, Ohtani doesn’t appear to be headed anywhere.
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