Tag: Los Angeles Angels

Shohei Ohtani is reportedly off the trade market and MLB fans ripped the Angels

Are the Angels making the right move with Shohei Ohtani?

It seems as if baseball phenom Shohei Ohtani is staying put in Los Angeles ahead of the trade deadline.

The MLB trade deadline is just days away — 6 p.m. ET on August 1 — and the biggest rumored name is reportedly off the trade block. On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated‘s Tom Verducci reported that the Los Angeles Angels are going to keep Ohtani and make a playoff push with the star instead. As of Wednesday, the Angels are four games out of a wild card spot.

In their last 10 games, the Angels have gone 7-3 while teams like the New York Yankees and their recent struggles have opened a spot in the running. According to Verducci, the Angels are not only going to keep Ohtani, the team is set to be buyers at the trade deadline.

Ohtani has been rumored out of Los Angeles for some time, given the Angels’ absolutely dreadful performance as a franchise in recent history. Despite the abundant talk of possible destinations for the superstar, it seems as if Ohtani is staying put as the Angels make a playoff push.

Of course, a playoff spot isn’t guaranteed, especially not with how log-jammed the wild card race is in the AL. And given that Ohtani is on a one-year contract, it’s possible that the worst case scenario comes to pass: that the Angels miss the playoffs and are unable to sign their star this offseason.

Not only were MLB fans hoping for complete chaos in the next week, the Angels are arguably better served trading Ohtani for a haul before possibly losing him for nothing this offseason. With this news, however, MLB fans roasted the Angels for reportedly taking Ohtani off the trade market.

Shohei Ohtani’s stylish photo with Mets legend Doc Gooden had fans buzzing

Is Gooden teasing something we don’t know about Ohtani?

Shohei Ohtani isn’t officially on the trade block. Yet. But the more the Los Angeles Angels wallow in the AL West’s standings, the more it seems they’ll try to salvage something from Ohtani’s astronomical value before he likely leaves in free agency this winter.

And, yes, the New York Mets could really be a possibility for Ohtani’s future.

At least, if you believe in teasers like a recent photo franchise legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden shared on his Twitter. It features Gooden and Ohtani in black suits, smiling, with Gooden writing a simple but cryptic “eyeball emoji” caption.

Hmm. That could mean anything.

Does Gooden know something we don’t? Is an Ohtani trade to the Mets before the August 1st deadline in the works? That’s a lot to read into from one photo, but it certainly wouldn’t be the craziest outcome.

This angle of Shohei Ohtani’s latest ridiculous monster mash against the Yankees is so cool

Ohtani’s blast somehow looked even cooler from this point of view.

Shohei Ohtani put yet on another show Monday night. In pursuit of Aaron Judge, seventh on the single-season all-time home run list, Ohtani ironically bashed a game-tying two-run shot against Judge’s New York Yankees.

Ohtani is having a season for the ages, one we probably won’t understand properly perspective-wise for a while, and he continues to celebrate like the baseball king he is. You’ve already seen his ice-cold bat flip where he stared at the ball as it rose into the stratosphere.

But you probably haven’t appreciated this additional ridiculous camera angle from YES Network. It makes an already superb play somehow look even cooler:

Phew. Talk about dramatic effect as Ohtani nonchalantly throws the bat toward the camera there. From every point of view, watching his brand of greatness is a treat.

Shohei Ohtani delivered an ice-cold bat flip after hitting a game-tying homer

This was so cool.

Shohei Ohtani continues to hit home runs at a rate unseen since … well, last year.

And he kept it going Monday night with a game-tying shot against the New York Yankees, tying up the game with one swing of the bat in an eventual 4-3 win for his Los Angeles Angels.

But we’re here to talk about the bat flip. This thing was SICK. Not only is the WHAM of the ball off his bat the best sound in all of sports right now, but this flip proves Ohtani might just be the coolest in all of sports at the moment.

Check this out, from multiple angles:

So good.

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ESPN’s Karl Ravech weirdly praised very recent trade addition Mike Moustaskas for being the Angels’ leader

This was SO random.

When the Los Angeles Angeles tried and failed to hold off a 9-8 rally from the Houston Astros, they probably could’ve used more inspiration from Mike Moustakas. At least, according to ESPN’s Karl Ravech, for some reason.

You see, the Angels traded for Moustakas at the trade deadline. To emphasize: Prior to late June 2023, he had never even sniffed their uniforms. Yet, when Moustakas came to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, Ravech strangely called him the Angels’ “inspirational leader.”

Based on what? His three weeks with the team? Have there been any notable anecdotes about him rallying the Angels — who have, mind you, completely (and ironically) cratered in the playoff picture since Moustakas entered the fold?

What a weird way to introduce an extremely new player. Let this be a lesson to all of us: Sometimes, you don’t need to add extra unnecessary gravitas to a moment as a broadcaster because people on the outside will notice the discrepancies.

Shohei Ohtani gave Mariners fans hope when he playfully shrugged to a question about signing with Seattle

He didn’t say no!

There isn’t a team in baseball that would pass on the chance to have Shohei Ohtani. He’s a two-way superstar and a true generational talent — the likes of which we may never see again in baseball. But as Ohtani heads into free agency this offseason, there are several teams that have to feel decent about their chances of landing the Angels star.

It just so happened that one of those teams hosted this week’s MLB All-Star Game.

Ohtani was the star of the show this week in Seattle as Mariners fans did everything they could to let Ohtani know that they wanted him in a Mariners jersey next season. There were chants during his at-bats. There were signs in the stands. And he was repeatedly asked about joining the Mariners. But one reaction, in particular, seemed to inspire some hope amongst the Mariners faithful.

During media day, Ohtani was asked what he’d think about playing in Seattle next year. And as PR reps tried to wave off the question, Ohtani didn’t seem all too opposed to the idea. He smiled and then playfully shrugged as if he’d really consider it.

Before Ohtani settled on the Angels back in 2017, the Mariners were among the final teams he considered. To get Ohtani this time around, it would take an uncharacteristic willingness to spend from a team that ranks below the MLB average in payroll. But hey, it would certainly be worth a try. And Mariners fans were feeling optimistic after seeing that recent clip from Ohtani.

MLB draft: Zach Joyce, Jake Fitzgibbons selected in back-to-back picks

Tennessee pitchers Zach Joyce and Jake Fitzgibbons selected in back-to-back picks in the 2023 MLB draft.

The 2023 Major League Baseball first-year player draft is taking place Sunday-Tuesday in Seattle, Washington.

The MLB first-year player draft is being held in conjunction with the 2023 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.

Tennessee pitchers Zach Joyce and Jake Fitzgibbons were selected in back-to-back picks during the MLB draft.

Joyce, a junior, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angeles with the No. 414 overall pick in the 14th round. Fitzgibbons, a redshirt sophomore, was selected by Arizona with the No. 415 overall pick in the 14th round.

Joyce and Fitzgibbons were the Vols’ sixth and seventh draft picks from Tennessee’s 2022 team respectively.

Tennessee transfer Ryan Galanie was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 13th round with the No. 389 overall pick.

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Shohei Ohtani drew a ridiculous crowd for media day ahead of the 2023 MLB All-Star Game

Now, THAT is a crowd.

When it comes to Shohei Ohtani, he’s no stranger to having a large contingent of media following him for every game. But MLB All-Star week is totally different. Everyone wanted to speak to Ohtani.

For many media members across baseball, the All-Star Game is a rare opportunity to ask Ohtani questions outside of a series involving the Angels. And let me tell you: Reporters were not about to miss out on a chance to speak to the two-way superstar.

Ohtani participated in media day festivities at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday, and the scene around his desk was absolutely unreal. You almost couldn’t see him in the enormous crowd.

Even by Ohtani standards, that crowd was ridiculous. But that was to be expected as he heads into free agency this offseason.

The Angels star is not planning to pitch in the All-Star Game as he’s been dealing with a blister. He also won’t participate in the Home Run Derby. But as the American League’s starting designated hitter, he’ll get some at-bats on Tuesday night.

NFC West Watch: Could the Rams really trade Aaron Donald this year?

While it seems like a remote possibility, there is some logic here.

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LA has two all-time legends playing football and baseball, respectively. As incredible as Aaron Donald and Shohei Ohtani are, there’s a suspicious amount of trade chatter surrounding both. While it seems completely bananas to trade a hundred-year talent like Ohtani, there’s a much better case for the Rams to deal Donald.

Here’s Jason McIntyre on Colin Cowherd’s show making five bold predictions for the NFC this coming season – including an Aaron Donald trade.

While it seems like a remote possibility, there is some logic here. If the Rams suffer a rash of injuries (like the Angels have this week) it will mean their Super Bowl window is firmly shut. That means it’ll make sense to try to get something in exchange for Aaron Donald – who’s now 32 years old – now before he decides to retire.

We would be shocked if this actually happens, but you can never assume anything in this business.

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The Angels need to pay Shohei Ohtani. Right now. Do it.

PAY THE MAN!

This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Here’s Charles Curtis.

Shohei Ohtani is having another unbelievable season as a pitcher and a hitter — he just completed a 10-strikeout and two home run game IN ONE NIGHT! He’s among the league leaders in a bunch of categories! HOW IS HE DOING ALL THAT?

We’ve gotten to the point where the Los Angeles Angels are actually good. It’s time — for now — to stop talking about Ohtani trades.

So: Let’s talk about getting Ohtani paid. Now. Like, right now. I’ve advocated for a billion-dollar contract and I stand by that. But whatever the Angels are thinking about Ohtani and negotiating this winter and playing the free agency game … just stop it.

Pay the man. Whatever he wants.

Because he’s worth it and more. He’s only 28 years old, and although some of his skills either at the plate or on the mound may diminish through the length of that next contract, you have to paid him now if you think you can contend in the next few years (which reminds me: It would be swell to see Mike Trout make it back to the postseason too!). Imagine Ohtani stepping up in Game 1 of the World Series and pitching six innings of shutout ball while hitting a couple of dingers.

That’s worth all the money. And heck, maybe paying him now gets you whatever discount you can get before he hits the open market after — perhaps — a second AL MVP award.

Do it now, Angels front office.

Quick Hits: A 2024 NBA mock draft … A no-look throw in baseball … and more.

(Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

— It’s not too early to start talking the 2024 NBA Draft, where Bronny James may be available. Here’s Bryan Kalbrosky’s first mock of next year’s class.

— This Bo Naylor no-look throw to get an out was stunning.

— Here’s every Wes Anderson movie, ranked.