The 2024 off-season may not have begun yet, but it is already set to be potentially the most interesting window baseball fans will see. Even more so perhaps for the LA Angels, who could see their tandem disrupted in free agency. With two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani apparently on his way out from the LA Angels, the franchise could be on the cusp of another major exit. And it’s not one that they would’ve thought.
The LA Angels slumped to another year to add to their post-season drought in 2023. With only 68 wins to their name so far, it also appears that the AL Wild Card race will be a bridge too far for the Anaheim franchise this season. However, their plans for the off-season are often what keeps the fans interested to see where they go next. This time the story may be a bit different.
Are LA Angels Stars Heading for the Exit Doors?
Perhaps the most curious of these to play out will be the case of Mike Trout. The star was already a powerhouse with the Angels when ‘the Sho’ came to Anaheim hoping that this would be the final piece of the puzzle the Angels needed to finally capture a pennant. That, however, has now failed for 9 seasons.
It seems that 2021 AL MVP, Shohei Ohtani has already made his decision. With reports coming in of the player clearing out his locker amid a trip back home to Japan, it seems Ohtani has made clear his intentions for the off-season. He may be no longer eager to remain with the Halos.
However, this is troubling for the Angels because the loss of such a star could also be a sign for ballplayers around the clubhouse. How can the stars on the team hope to achieve more with less? If a pennant was not possible with Ohtani on their roster then surely, they can’t achieve it without him featuring.
How Can Mike Trout Exit?
Trout’s current contract with the angels still has $250 million on it before it expires so any exit opportunities would have to take that into account. With the star now into his 30s, any team would gladly accept his hitting prowess on their lineup so the easiest potential exit would be a trade request from the star.
