MLB speculations: Potential trade negotiations between San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels involving Shohei Ohtani surfaced in 2022
Angels' Shohei Ohtani Missed Opportunity: An Analysis
Before becoming a $700 million man with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Angels had a big decision to make regarding their two-way MVP. Originally landing Ohtani from the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, the Angels had six years to figure out what to do with their star player. However, they let him walk in free agency, swapping him out for Willie Calhoun before posting a franchise-worst 99 losses in 2024.
The Angels likely could have gotten something for Ohtani, as Ken Rosenthal explained on Foul Territory. The team missed an opportunity to optimize Ohtani financially by failing to bring in sponsorships and fans. They also missed a chance to trade him, with Jackson Merrill potentially being part of a trade discussion between the Padres and Angels before July 2022.
While fans of the Angels may be disheartened by the revelation, Merrill is already making a name for himself as an All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Second-Team All-MLB player with the Padres. He's signed a new nine-year extension for $135 million guaranteed and is set to become a cornerstone player alongside Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado.
The Mystery of Ohtani's Departure
So, why didn't the Angels trade Ohtani? It seems their negotiations with Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, were complicated by differing priorities. Ohtani was focused on a contract that preserved his playing career without risking a decline in performance or legacy during an excessively long deal. Instead, he opted for a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers – the largest in professional sports at the time of signing – with most of the money deferred, providing financial flexibility for other signings.
Ohtani and Balelo have expressed no regrets about this decision, as he won a World Series and earned his third MVP award with the Dodgers. The Angels, on the other hand, may regret their decision to let him go and not capitalize on the opportunity earlier.
The Cost of Missed Opportunities
The Angels' decision not to re-sign or trade Ohtani has consequences. The team may experience regret and lost opportunity for not retaining or trading Ohtani, especially as he performs well with the Dodgers and commands lucrative contracts elsewhere. The choice to retain him without a long-term re-signing resulted in losing a transcendent player to a rival, which may affect team competitiveness and fan morale.
On a positive note, the Dodgers' financial flexibility, made possible by Ohtani's contract structure, allows them to build a championship-caliber team around him. The Angels, unfortunately, did not capitalize on this opportunity.
In the end, Ohtani's priorities for maintaining his legacy and playing integrity impacted the Angels' decision to let him go. The team now faces the consequences of losing one of baseball's most unique talents to a rival, potentially impacting their competitive future and fan perception.
Despite the opportunity to trade Shohei Ohtani to the Padres before July 2022, as indicated by Jackson Merrill potentially being part of a trade discussion, the Angels missed this chance to optimize Ohtani's financial value and enhance their team competitiveness. Furthermore, the absence of sponsorship deals and fans' support may have added to the Angels' missed opportunity in retaining Ohtani, who is now showcasing his exceptional talent with the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers.
