ANAHEIM -- It was another strong showing on the mound for Shohei Ohtani, who struck out 11 batters over six innings against the Rangers on Thursday to extend his streak to six straight starts with at least 10 strikeouts.
But it came in yet another loss for the Angels, who are positioned to be sellers leading up to Tuesday’s Trade Deadline. The Angels are doing their due diligence and listening in on offers for Ohtani, who will be a free agent after next season, but he isn’t expected to be traded, per multiple reports, including from MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.
Ohtani, though, was asked after his outing if he wanted to remain with the Angels, but essentially said it’s out of his control right now.
"Regardless of where I'm playing, I'm going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “I'm with the Angels right now, and I'm very thankful for what they've done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now, I'm an Angel, and that's all I can focus on at this point."
The Los Angeles Times had a slightly different interpretation for what Ohtani said after the game, but the message was largely the same.
“The question isn’t whether I want to stay,” Ohtani said. “I have to do what I’m supposed to do. Regardless of where I am, what I do doesn’t change. Of course, there’s the part of me that feels grateful of how the team has taken care of me. I like the fans, too, of course. Right now, as long as I’m with the Angels -- and it was like that today, too -- I want to do my best to win each and every game. There’s tomorrow to think about, too, and I have to turn the page.”
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It's become clear for the Angels that even if they don’t move Ohtani before the Trade Deadline, they need to build a winner around him next year before he heads to free agency. He said last year that winning was the “biggest thing” to him and the Angels have yet to post a winning record since he joined the club in 2018.
If the Angels are going to have a chance to re-sign Ohtani they need to prove to him that they can be consistent winners going forward. If not, and Ohtani indicates he wouldn’t be interested in re-signing, then it could make sense to trade him. But even then, it doesn’t appear likely that ownership would be interested in trading a global superstar for prospects.
So, the Angels, and the front office led by general manager Perry Minasian, have their work cut out for them when it comes to Ohtani and the future of the franchise given the way things have played out again this season. And even if they do re-sign Ohtani, they need to find a way to build around the high-priced contracts for Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Ohtani.
There doesn’t appear to be an easy fix, but the Angels have to improve their depth around their stars, or else they could be stuck in this rut indefinitely.
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Head athletic trainer Mike Frostad was holding his customary media availability on Wednesday in Kansas City when he was asked for an update on Trout, who has been out since July 12 with left ribcage irritation and upper back spasms. Frostad explained the technical term that Trout is dealing with is a costovertebral dysfunction at T5 in his back. He said it’s a rare injury for a baseball player and it’s something he might have to manage "through the rest of his career probably."
It created a media firestorm, as it appeared that Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 10-time All-Star, could have a career-altering injury. Trout, 30, is also under contract through 2030 after signing a 12-year extension worth $426.5 million before the 2019 season.
But Trout insisted it’s not the case, as he believes his back has been getting better and that he plans to return this season. The injury is rare for baseball players but is more common with swimmers and can heal with non-surgical treatment and rest. The biggest fear is if the injury was caused by Trout’s mechanics with his swinging or throwing motion, which could create an ongoing issue. But it’s simply too early to know that just yet.
There should be some more clarity on Sunday when Trout meets with the spine doctor for a checkup.
"I got back and my phone was blowing up, said my career's over," Trout said Wednesday. "That's news to me. It's just that I've got to stay on top of it. It's rare for a baseball player. That's the thing. Just have to stay on top of it. I think it's a little exaggeration. I appreciate all the prayer requests, but my career isn't over."
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TRIVIA
How many batters did former Angels lefty Clyde Wright strike out in his no-hitter on July 3, 1970?
A.) Zero
B.) One
C.) Two
D.) Three
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THIS WEEK IN ANGELS HISTORY |
It was quite a day for the Molina brothers on July 31, 2005, as Bengie and José both homered off Hall of Famer Randy Johnson in an 8-7 loss at Yankee Stadium. It marked just the 10th time in AL or NL history that brothers homered in the same game. Bengie connected on a three-run homer to left in the fourth inning, while Jose hit a solo shot off Johnson in the fifth. |
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Wright struck out Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson looking to end the fourth inning, but it was his lone strikeout in his no-hitter. Wright, who became the second player in Angels history to throw a no-no after Bo Belinsky’s in 1962, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday at Angel Stadium as they celebrated Throwback Weekend. |
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