If the Los Angeles Angels fall out of Play-Off contention this season, star player Shohei Ohtani will "definitely leave" according to ESPN's senior MLB insider Jeff Passan.
Although Aaron Judge took the league MVP award from Ohtani last season after his record-breaking campaign with the New York Yankees, it's hard to argue that there's been anyone better than Angels star Ohtani over the last few years. The Japanese ace has starred as both the starting pitcher and designated hitter for the Angels since joining in 2018, but is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
A record-breaking contract is coming Ohtani's way no matter what, but his future with the Angels will almost definitely come to an end unless they step up. The Angels are 9-9 for the season, but many feel Ohtani is too good for the organisation.
With arguably the best player in Major League Baseball set to become a free agent at the end of the season, competition for his signature has already begun. There is not a single team in the league that wouldn't want to sign Ohtani, but the big hitters are likely to be left fighting it out amongst themselves.
Passan thinks that Ohtani is almost guaranteed to be traded if results don't improve, putting heaps of pressure on the Angels organisation. "There's one number that we need to be looking at when it comes to Shohei Ohtani's future, and that is the Los Angeles Angels record," Passan said on ESPN's Get Up.
"As long as the Angels are in contention, as long as they have hope for the Play-Offs, Shohei Ohtani's probably not going to be traded at the deadline this year. But if the Angels fall out of contention and if it's just more of the same as it's been over the last five years that he's been there, he could be traded and he will definitely leave.
"Seeing him at Yankees Stadium and seeing Aaron Judge rob him of a home run, seeing him doing everything he's been doing over the last three years and being the best player on the planet, shows you why the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets are going to be the two teams butting heads.
"But also with the Giants, and the Yankees and the Mariners, and perhaps others on the periphery to pay the guy $500million dollars. That's where the bidding is going to start, and it's only going to get higher than that because this guy is simply better than everyone."
The Angels will be clinging on to some hope that Ohtani may remain loyal if results improve, but if his future is elsewhere then a trade may be needed as the Japanese star could walk away for nothing. One thing that's for sure, he's going to get a serious pay day.
