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The Los Angeles Angels have didn’t make the postseason for the final eight years, final making the playoffs two years earlier than Shohei Ohtani burst onto the scene.
Ohtani has been masterful in his first 5 seasons, profitable the 2021 AL MVP and setting quite a few data because the modern-day Babe Ruth.
![Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after a home run](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/06/640/320/Ohtani-1-copy.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting a two-run house run throughout the twelfth inning of a baseball sport towards the Texas Rangers, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photograph/Sam Hodde)
But, Ohtani’s brilliance has not led to profitable, with the Angels failing to complete above .500 in every of his 5 seasons.
It seems to be carrying on Ohtani, who has made it clear he values profitable as he approaches his huge payday.
“These emotions get stronger 12 months by 12 months,” Ohtani stated Monday by his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, per The Athletic. “It sucks to lose. [I want] to win.”
Ohtani is within the ultimate 12 months of his cope with the Angels, signing a one-year, $30 million deal in October to avoid arbitration.
![Shohei Ohtani pitches against the White Sox](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/06/640/320/Shohei-Ohtani-pitches-against-Chicago.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani, #17, pitching throughout an MLB baseball sport towards the Chicago White Sox performed on June 27, 2023 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (John Cordes/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures)
The 2-way star is predicted to signal the biggest deal in Major League history when he turns into a free agent on the finish of the season.
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“I’ve by no means been a free agent earlier than, so I’m unsure how that’s gonna be,” Ohtani stated. “I’m targeted on this season proper now. I simply need to do my greatest this 12 months and attempt to get as many wins as doable.”
Ohtani is coming off a month through which his dominance was on full show, launching 15 home runs and hitting .394 on the plate whereas posting a 3.26 ERA on the mound.
Nonetheless, it didn’t result in profitable, because the Angels went 14-13 within the month of June and sit at 45-46 on the All-Star break, losers in 9 of their final 10 video games.
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![Shohei Ohtani looks on at the All-Star workout day](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/640/320/GettyImages-Ohtani-1-copy.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Shohei Ohtani, #17 of the Los Angeles Angels, appears to be like on throughout Gatorade All-Star Exercise Day at T-Cellular Park on July 10, 2023 in Seattle. (Steph Chambers/Getty Pictures)
LA may discover the commerce marketplace for Ohtani earlier than the Aug. 1 deadline, although the Angels haven’t proven an curiosity in doing so.
“Clearly all of the commerce stuff, he has no management over, so he tries to not give it some thought, simply focuses on the sport that day,” Mizuhara stated on Ohtani’s behalf, in response to ESPN. “That is the toughest half about attempting to win ballgames daily.”
Primarily based on Ohtani’s feedback, the Angels have to win, and they should win now, however LA will enter MLB’s second half with important accidents. Mike Trout suffered a damaged hamate bone in his left wrist and Anthony Rendon has been out since July 4.
The Angels might want to get wholesome in the event that they’re to make a run on the postseason, and fulfill Ohtani’s need to win.
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