Shohei Ohtani Addresses Trade Rumors Ahead of Deadline

Shohei Ohtani on the move?

The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly listening to offers for the reigning American League MVP, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Shohei Ohtani addressed questions about his future with the Angels following a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday night that dropped his team 15 games below .500.  Asked if he still wants to be with the Angels after the trade deadline next week, Ohtani had this to say via his translator:

“Regardless of where I’m playing, I’m going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me,” Ohtani said. “I’m with the Angels right now, and I’m very thankful for what they’ve done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now I’m an Angel, and that’s all I can focus on.”

Ohtani: "Regardless of where I'm playing, I'm going to give it my all and try to win that ballgame in front of me. I'm with the Angels right now and I'm very thankful for what they've done. I love my team and my teammates. Right now, I'm an Angel and that's all I can focus on."

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 29, 2022

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Ohtani is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

Heleads the majors with nine double-digit strikeout performances. He pitched six scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts in Atlanta last week before the Braves tagged him for six runs in the seventh in an 8-1 loss.

As a designated hitter he has a .256/.350/.489 slash line with 21 homers, 59 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases across 96 games.

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