If the season ended at this time, the Los Angeles Angels would miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season. That features all six seasons since signing Shohei Ohtani

The 2-way celebrity will change into a free agent on the finish of this season, and whereas he shed little mild on what he considered his long-term future, Ohtani stated forward of the All-Star Recreation in Seattle that his want to play on a successful membership “will get stronger” with every passing 12 months.

Ohtani, 29, was requested Monday whether or not reaching the playoffs has change into a better precedence as he types out his future.

“These emotions get stronger 12 months by 12 months,” Ohtani stated by way of his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. “It sucks to lose. He needs to win, so it will get stronger yearly.”

Ohtani is predicted to command a report contract if and when he hits the open market.

The Angels, who entered the All-Star break at 45-46, might additionally resolve to commerce 2021 American League MVP earlier than the Aug. 1 deadline with the intention to get one thing again in return. Ohtani is ending the second 12 months of a two-year, $8.5 million contract signed earlier than the 2021 season to keep away from arbitration

“Clearly all of the commerce stuff, he has no management over, so he tries to not give it some thought, simply focuses on the sport that day,” Mizuhara stated on Ohtani’s behalf. “That is the toughest half about making an attempt to win ballgames on daily basis.”

Ohtani leads the majors in dwelling runs (32), triples (six) and slugging proportion (.663) on the break whereas batting a career-high .302. On the mound, he is pitching to a 3.32 ERA, a shade increased than his profession 3.04 mark, however he’s averaging 11.8 strikeouts per 9 innings (123 strikeouts, 100 1/3 innings).

Ohtani might rake in a contract of $500 million or extra and have groups chase after him the way in which Peyton Manning and LeBron James had been pursued as free brokers.

“I’ve by no means been a free agent earlier than so I am undecided how that is gonna be,” Ohtani stated. “Like I stated earlier than, I am targeted on this season proper now. I simply wish to do my finest this 12 months, attempt to get as many wins as attainable and simply do my finest.”

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga was amongst these requested Monday what their “gross sales pitch” to Ohtani could be. Senga overlapped with Ohtani in Nippon Skilled Baseball and has performed for Japan alongside Ohtani in nationwide competitions.

“I’ll put this hat on him proper now,” Senga joked by way of his interpreter.

For his half, Ohtani would not tip his hand as to which gamers on the All-Star Recreation had been recruiting him.

“I feel I will maintain {that a} secret,” he stated.

–Subject Degree Media