Shohei Ohtani (29, Los Angeles Angels), who is at the center of recent trade rumors, struck out three times before striking out a solo shot that paved the way for a come-from-behind victory. In the US, there was a story that the Los Angeles Angels were listening to inquiries about the trade. Accordingly, the LA Dodgers, which has the most prospects in the major leagues, is rapidly emerging as a candidate.
On the 16th (Korean time), Ohtani started as the designated hitter in the 2023 Major League (MLB) home game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, USA. He played an active part with 1 walk.카지노
It was Ohtani who was horribly unresolved in the early and mid-game. He struck out on a swing with one out in the first inning, then grounded to mediocre second base in the third. Ohtani, who returned with another strikeout in the fifth inning with two strikeouts, also struck out in a miss in the seventh inning.
But, after all, Ohtani was Ohtani. Bottom of the ninth inning with the team trailing 9-12. Ohtani entered the plate as the lead batter. The opposing pitcher is Houston’s formidable closer Ryan Presley. It was Presley who did not allow a single hit against 42 batters before Ohtani’s at-bat.
On the ball count of 1-1, Ohtani attacked Presley’s slider at 89.2 miles (about 143.5 km) on the 3rd pitch, and hit the solo gun in pursuit over the middle wall. Ohtani’s 33rd home run of the season. With this home run, Ohtani maintained his lead in all major league home runs. His exit velocity was 103.5 mph (about 166.5 km). The flight distance is 404 feet (about 123 m). The launch angle was 32 degrees.
It was a home run that increased the team’s chance of winning from 3.8% to 8.7%, according to Game Day on MLB.com, the official website of the Major League Baseball. As a result, the 3.8% chance became a reality as the team won the game 13-12 at the end of the 10th inning. The Angels marked 46-47 and jumped to third place in the American League West.
Shohei Ohtani (No. 17) returns to the dugout and shares the joy with his teammates after hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth against the Houston Astros on the 16th (Korean time). /AFPBBNews=News1
Amid Ohtani’s great success, trade rumors continue to flow in the local area. MLB.com quoted journalist John Morosi on the 16th and said, “The Los Angeles Angels are currently listening to Ohtani’s trade inquiries.”
Moroshi, who appeared on MLB Network, said, “According to an official familiar with the club’s internal circumstances, the possibility of a trade is still low, but the possibility is open. I have no choice but to hear about it,” he said.
He continued, “However, the difficult part (regarding the trade balance) is that there is no case that can be compared with the past.” . “However, if you are offered multiple players named in the MLB pipeline’s top 100 prospects, the Angels will at least have to start thinking (about trades). That’s the Angels’ current situation,” he said.
Then, why is the Los Angeles Dodgers being discussed as a potential next destination for Ohtani? That’s because the Los Angeles Dodgers have nine of the top 100 prospects. This is the highest number among all major league clubs. Instead of sending one Ohtani, if they recruit a large number of strong prospects, they can promote future promotions. On the other hand, clubs that recruit Ohtani have the advantage of being able to press Ohtani down by signing a long-term contract before the FA market opens next year.
Ohtani is making a big success in pitching and hitting, writing a new history in the major leagues. There is even a local analysis that the size of the contract in the FA market will reach from 500 million dollars (about 636.5 billion won) to 600 million dollars (about 763.8 billion won). Currently, the prevailing prospect is that Ohtani will move to a team closer to the championship than the Angels in the future. The Angels have never experienced fall baseball since Ohtani joined in 2018. This season, too, the possibility of fall baseball is getting lower and lower. In the big leagues, if it is judged that advancing to the postseason is not feasible, they boldly trade key players instead of recruiting promising players. The Angels can also adopt this strategy while thinking about the future and sending Ohtani. The major league trade deadline is August 2 (local time, August 1). Will there be a radical change in Ohtani’s course of action?