Perry Minassian, general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, said on the 5th (Korean time), “There is a respect and trust between Ohtani and I that will never change. Our relationship is very special.” There is no limit. I want to go out on the field and hit and throw as I want to show the world what a great player I am.”
In an interview with local media, he emphasized that he supported Shohei Ohtani’s participation in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and was confident about extending his contract. Ohtani, who is currently undergoing individual training in Arizona, participated in the team spring camp, pitched once in an exhibition game, and will join the Japanese national team on March 2nd.
It is unknown whether Ohtani wants to appear in the demonstration game or the club wants it, but unlike Yu Darvish, the club seems to have blocked the Japanese national team from joining Miyazaki early in training.
Ohtani’s reaction to this has not come out, but considering that he has openly expressed his expectations for the WBC, it does not seem to be a very pleasant schedule. However, as Ohtani decided not to place restrictions on double-duty pitching, Ohtani can participate as both a pitcher and a hitter in the WBC, as he had previously announced.
General Manager Minassian also said, “Obviously, owner Moreno invested heavily while managing the club. We have maintained a top 10 payroll for a long time. I don’t think that trend will change.” “I know him personally, but how much he wants to win. I know the map,” he said.
Ohtani will be eligible for free agency after this season. While the largest contract in history is solidifying as a fait accompli, the Angels are revealing their intention to capture Ohtani without fail after the owner Moreno canceled the sale of the club. The situation is seen as a kind of ‘media play’. However, all decisions are in Ohtani’s mind.
Local media forecast that Ohtani is unlikely to remain on the team, even if only looking at the timing of joining the WBC team and the Angels’ payroll problem. Ohtani’s ransom is estimated at more than $500 million. 먹튀검증
In this regard, as FOX Sports reporters recently debated over which team Ohtani would pick in the free agent market, the Angels were not included. FOX Sports pointed to the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers as the most likely clubs, predicting the possibility of contracts in the order of the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants.
The Angels are expected to cross the $200 million mark for the first time in club history, with a payroll of $210 million this year. However, it is still below the luxury tax threshold of $233 million. On the other hand, the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees and Padres are very likely to pass the luxury tax. These are the clubs that spend that much money.
Regardless of Ohtani’s will, the prevailing prospect is that the Angels will find it difficult to afford Ohtani’s ransom.