The Los Angeles Angels have decided to keep Shohei Ohtani through the season, rather than trade him as had been rumored. Mike Trout, the Angels’ designated hitter, was pleased with the news.

“I knew Ohtani wasn’t going anywhere (this season),” Trout told a local media outlet on Monday, “but it’s good to hear (the news) firsthand, and I’m happy for him.”

Ohtani, a two-hitter in the major leagues, will become a free agent after this season. “I want to play for a team that has a history of winning,” Ohtani said before the season.

Ohtani has been at the top of his game since breaking into the big leagues in 2018, but he has yet to play in the MLB postseason.

Shohei Ohtani is eligible for free agency after this season. Getty Images
“The Angels will use Ohtani as a trade chip and acquire prospects,바카라” said local media in the United States. Several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, are reportedly interested in acquiring Ohtani.

As the 2023 trade deadline approaches (Aug. 2), Ohtani’s future has been in the spotlight.

However, the Angels chose to keep Ohtani. According to Sports Illustrated (SI), “The Angels received trade offers for Ohtani from several teams, but decided to keep him,” and “the Angels will look to bolster their starting rotation and bullpen.”

The Angels acquired right-handed starter Lucas Giolito and right-handed reliever Renaldo Lopez in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on July 27. Giolito, who is 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA this season, is a proven starter with a career record of 59-53 with a 4.26 ERA in the big leagues. The bullpen will also benefit from Lopez, who is 2-5 with a 4.29 ERA in 10 appearances and four saves this season. The team’s decision to trade prospects for immediate power is a sign of their desire to make a run at the postseason.

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The Angels have won eight of their last nine games, making the American League wild-card race even hotter.

“(Ohtani’s retention and trade) sends a good message to our players,” Trout said.

Trout is one of MLB’s top superstars. He signed a 12-year, $426.5 million ($55.51 billion) contract with the Angels in 2019. It’s the No. 1 highest-paid contract in MLB history. The top superstar in American baseball, Trout has a fantastic chemistry with Ohtani in the top of the order. When the two hit home runs together, the A’s have a very high winning percentage this season.

Trout, who was sidelined in early June with a fractured left fibula, is expected to return in mid-August. “I’m feeling better and better through training,” he said.