Shohei Ohtani’s historic free agency was directly influenced by the Major League Baseball trade deadline. Here are the specifics.
The Los Angeles Angels’ decision not to sell Shohei Ohtani before the August 1 deadline has an immediate influence on the 2023 season — as well as his free agency.
Ohtani’s chances of re-signing with the Angels were exceedingly slim if the team had moved him. The Angels, on the other hand, were aggressive in upgrading their squad, acquiring Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Mike Moustakas, C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk, Eduardo Escobar, and Dominic Leone – and have firmly established themselves in the postseason race.
Did the Angels’ chances of landing Shohei Ohtani improve?This is precisely what Ohtani desires. He is determined to win. He wants to play in the playoffs. If the Angels make the playoffs, the chances of his returning rise.
Trading is not permitted. General manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno took a chance on Ohtani. If he leaves, all they will receive is a draft selection. They would have gotten a lot of prospects if they had moved him.
However, the Angels want to keep Ohtani, and their trade deadline increased his chances of sticking in Anaheim.