Los Angeles Angels two-way standout Shohei Ohtani is a clear favorite for this year’s American League MVP award on the back of an impressive 2021 MLB campaign. But it appears that his individual accolades are not enough to keep Ohtani content or with the franchise for that matter.
Speaking with reporters after a loss to Seattle Mariners on Sunday, Ohtani was asked whether he would like to stay with the Angels long-term, considering he has just two years left on his deal. The 27-year-old star proceeded to talk candidly about his appreciation for the organization before hinting that his decision might depend on the team’s ability to win consistently.
“I really like the team. I love the fans. I love the atmosphere of the team,” Ohtani said. “But, more than that, I want to win. That’s the biggest thing for me. I’ll leave it at that.”
The Los Angeles Angels have been doing many things lately, but winning hasn’t been one of them. Besides having Ohtani and the best player in baseball in Mike Trout on their roster, the Angels failed to establish themselves as contenders in recent years.
They are on pace to finish the 2021 MLB season with a losing record, marking the sixth consecutive season where they failed to get above .500. The Angels also haven’t made the playoffs since the 2014 season.
Despite the Angels’ shortcomings, Ohtani managed to put together a season for the ages. He is currently batting .258 and has 45 home runs with 98 RBIs as a hitter while also posting a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts as a pitcher.
