Shohei Ohtani Is Now Putting Pressure On The Angels To Get Better

Shohei Ohtani was asked about his future with the Angels when suddenly it sounded an awful lot like he was putting some pressure on the organization to get better. Fans of Mike Trout, who's spent a decade with this same dookie Angels organization and rarely said a word, are probably glad to finally see someone demand change.

"I really like the team, I love the fans and the atmosphere," Ohtani said. "But more than that I want to win. That's the biggest thing for me. I'll leave it at that."

To summarize what he said, he mentioned that he loves everything about the Angels organization, however winning is more important than all of those qualities. And he's exactly right to feel this way. The Angels stink like feet, and someone needs to light a fire under their tails.

MLB owners, especially Angels owner Arte Moreno, make roster investments like a 12-year-old on MLB The Show: zero direction and more importantly, no accountability and adjustments to the roster. Just a total disaster.

Four-time MVP Mike Trout kinda said winning mattered a few years ago, except then he followed that empty statement up by signing a 12-year, $426.5 million extension. Nothing wrong with signing your name for the big bucks, but the problem is who he signed his name for and the nothings they did to deserve it. Agreeing to a 12-year marriage with an Angels organization that didn't improve this team whatsoever? Why? Now Shohei Ohtani is two years away from having that same decision on his plate, and he's trying to prepare his local fan base for heartbreak.

Doesn't mean Ohtani necessarily plans on exiting Los Angeles, but he's inadvertently admitting this is a possibility. The team needs to build around the ace who's also hitting 45+ homers in a season, but that's just not happening. This is why I predicted earlier today that Ohtani would take his talents to the Seattle Mariners when he's free in 2023. Seattle is an organization that'll narrowly miss a Wild Card berth in the American League but that will show clear improvement towards playoff relevancy.

The Angels are now on the clock before Ohtani runs out of patience. They've got a year or two, so no harm done yet, but don't be surprised if Mike Trout asks out if Shohei's wishes aren't taken care of in time.

Players like these should always be in a position to win. It's about time someone took leadership over there.