Manager dismissed but 14 straight losses…Shohei Otani vents his frustration, “FA rumored to be a transfer destination”.

Of course I’m sorry.”

These were Shohei Ohtani’s comments about Angels manager Joe Maddon, whose dismissal was announced on June 8. However, these words could also be taken as a farewell to the Angels.

Maddon was dismissed the day after the Angels suffered their 12th straight loss, tying a team record for the worst losing streak. (The losing streak came to an end on June 10 against the Red Sox when Shohei Ohtani pitched a strong game and scored the game-winning run with a two-run double in the 12th inning.) Sports journalist Nachi Tomonari explains the cause of the slump.

The bullpen is on the verge of collapse. The relay team and relief pitcher Iglesias are in shambles. During the losing streak, there were many cases where the Angels were leading until the last inning, but the relievers could not hold on and the game was turned around in the eighth or ninth inning. The Angels urgently need to rebuild their pitching staff.

Since Ohtani joined the Angels in 2006, the Angels have had seasons with a winning percentage below 50%. Ohtani’s wish is to win the World Series. Last September, he expressed his frustration to the press.

I have frustration. It’s still frustrating. I want to spend a more enjoyable and exciting (postseason) September. I hope the clubhouse will be filled with that kind of conversation.

The 10-year, 53 billion yen battle for the postseason

Although the number of postseason berths will increase from 10 to 12 this season, no team since 1901 has made it to the postseason after suffering 12 consecutive losses. The Angels are in a tough situation this season. The Angels are in a tough spot this season, and the focus of attention will be on the departure of Otani, who will become a free agent next offseason.

There is a possibility that the Angels will approach Ohtani about a big contract, but I think he wants to play for a team that is competing for a championship. The dismissal of manager Maddon is also a factor. The previous manager considered Ohtani’s fatigue and did not allow him to play in games before and after he pitched as a hitter. Maddon accepted Ohtani’s wishes and had him play in every game.

The Los Angeles Times and other media outlets predicted a 10-year, 53-billion-yen race for Ohtani if he declared himself an FA. The Angels cannot afford to pay that much money. They have eight years left on the contract with Trout, who makes about 4.7 billion yen a year, and four years left with Rendon, who makes about 5 billion yen a year. There is a strong possibility that they will prioritize reinforcing their pitching staff, which is on the verge of collapse, rather than signing Otani to a large contract.

If he leaves the Angels, where would he go? Mr. Tomonari, the aforementioned reporter, says, “The Seattle-based Marinos are the most likely destination.

The Seattle-based Mariners. Otani’s condition is that he be allowed to play two sports. Normally, major league teams rotate five starting pitchers on a four-day schedule. However, considering Ohtani’s recovery from fatigue when he plays with a combination of batters, he needs six days in the middle of the day. To put that in perspective, that would mean six starting pitchers. The Mariners are one of the few teams that have a history of rotating six pitchers in the rotation.

The Mariners are also one of the few teams that have a history of rotating six pitchers in their rotation, and they have a good understanding of Japanese players, having had Ichiro and Masahiro Sasaki on their roster in the past. The team’s lack of a strong left-handed hitter is also a good fit for Otani. With the Mariners, I think he is guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation and more than 500 at-bats a year.

The Angels’ slump has been marred by a string of losses and the dismissal of a trusted manager……. The Angels’ slump is likely to have a big impact on Ohtani’s decision.