15 July 2023 , 13:49
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Baseball megastar Shohei Ohtani could soon be available to trade and could be on the brink of the biggest contract in the sports history.
The Japanese do-it-all star is in the midst of an incredible individual season, but has again been let down by his teammates with the Los Angeles Angels continuing to struggle - now on a six-game losing streak.
Ohtani had to leave the game on Friday night's loss to the Houston Astros and admitted that it frustrated him to not be in the game - with the team losing another tough outing. He said: "I’m frustrated to a certain point. Not just me, but I feel the whole team is. I think it’s just only natural when we can’t win games that the frustration builds up.”
And should the team continue to lose games, Ohtani could realistically be moved before upcoming trade deadline - with the two-way star set to become a free agent this off-season.
Speaking on the MLB Network on Friday, Jon Morosi reported that the team may now be forced to listen to trade offers - not wanting to lose the superstar for nothing in the off-season.
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The cross-town Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked with a sensational trade for Ohtani, as have the New York Yankees, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.
Multiple reports have suggested that Ohtani could be the first Baseball star to r eceive a contract in the region of $500 million (£403.5m).
Ohtani is reportedly wanting to remain on the west coast of the United States though - being much closer to Japan - and has spoken highly of Seattle earlier this week, exciting Mariners fans.
Ohtani being traded would be one of the biggest in-season moves in MLB historyHe said: "I’ve actually spent about two offseasons in Seattle, a total of four months maybe. And I felt like it’s a very nice city. I really liked it.” After leaving Japan and signing for the Angels in 2018, Ohtani reportedly came close to signing for Seattle.
Ohtani has thoroughly established himself as the best two-way player in baseball, in the conversation to be one of the greatest of all-time if he continues in this vein of form, and will likely be wanted by every team should he become available.
The Angels will be keen to receive assets for him, likely to get a substantial haul even with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Ohtani currently leads the league in home-runs with 32, while also being third in the league on strikeouts with 139.