Ohtani Shohei trade, no winter this year? a flustered big club
There is a possibility that there will be no trade discussion “at least” this winter by Ohtani Shohei (28, LA Angels), who has emerged as a focus of the Major League transfer market. With the Angels expected to diligently tap the profit and loss calculator, the topic is likely to continue beyond this year and into next year.
SNY’s Andy Martino quoted multiple officials as saying, “There are signs that the Angels are not too keen to discuss Otani’s trade scenario at this point.”
Otani is considered the biggest fish in the transfer market this winter. Otani will qualify as a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. Basically, there is no guarantee that they will remain in the FA market. For this reason, the Angels have to decide this winter whether to offer a large extension contract to catch Otani or to trade before becoming an FA.
Since the weight of the trade card varies depending on the remaining period of use, it is better to trade now than next year’s transfer market if you do not intend to catch Otani. For this reason, local media are discussing numerous clubs as candidates for the Otani trade, heating up the heat. However, according to Martino’s report, the Angels are likely to wait and see the situation once Otani remains.
In fact, there are several reasons why the Angels will not start trading on Otani right now. With an early agreement on next year’s annual salary ($30 million), and the team is selling, Otani, one of the biggest assets, cannot be easily disposed of. It’s to leave it up to the next owner. This is not to mention that it occupies an absolute proportion of the team’s performance.
The Angels have not been in the postseason since 2014, and next year, when Otani and Mike Trout hold out, could be their last chance for the time being. After playing in the season with a more active reinforcement, it is highly likely that he will start trading in Otani after seeing his mid-term performance next season. Since the postseason team has expanded compared to the past, once the flow is taken, it is enough to challenge.
For Otani, there is a possibility that he will declare an FA rather than an extended contract, whether it is traded or not. This is because if interest becomes hot in the market, you can get more money than signing an extension contract. Amid opinions that more than $400 million is certain, Otani’s desire for a team that can win could also be a variable.