Angels general manager Perry Minasian all but said that he wasn’t going to trade Shohei Ohtani as long as the Angels are in a playoff spot.
Ohtani is set to become a free agent after the season, and the Angels could lose the 2021 American League MVP without getting major assets in return if he departs on the free market.
Nevertheless, that thought isn’t enough to scare Minasian into to trading Ohtani before the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline.Â
“It’s pretty self-explanatory with where we’re at (in the standings),” Minasian told reporters, according to the Associated Press, ahead of the start of a two-game set between the Angels and Dodgers.
The declaration all but sets the stage for Ohtani to finish out the year with the Angels, who are 41-34 after their 2-0 loss to the Dodgers but firmly in an AL wild-card race.
Ohtani has become one of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball, and his availability on the open market is sure to attract everyone club to try and bid for his services.
Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, told reporters back in February that the dual-threat player likely would explore free agency, even if he does end up staying with the Angels through the season.Â
Ohtani has spent six seasons with the club but he has yet to get a taste of the postseason during that time.
Minasian’s goal is to get the Angels back into the postseason for the first time since 2014, but that push could come at the cost of missing out on big pieces in a potential trade of the superstar.
The Japanese star leads the majors in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage as a hitter this season.
On the mound, Ohtani has gone 6-2 with an ERA of 3.29.
He also has recorded 105 strikeouts and was named AL Player of the Week for his performance last week.