LA Angels GM talks Shohei Ohtani's Role at 2023 World Baseball Classic
Perry Minasian, general manager of the Los Angeles Angels, has no issues with Shohei Ohtani pitching and hitting at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was selected to represent team Japan at the fifth edition of the WBC in March. With the MLB season around the corner, fans were concerned that his role may be limited at the tournament.
Minasian also believes Ohtani could return to the Angels past 2023. There has been a lot of talk of the Japanese two-way star moving on from Los Angeles next season. Ohtani recently signed a one-year, $30 million extension with the club. He will, however, be a free agent at the end of the season.
The Angels' GM spoke at length about the mutual respect between the two parties and Ohtani's role in the WBC:
"I think that was one of the reasons why he chose to play here."
Per a recent article in The Japan Times, Minasian touched on Ohtani's chances of returning to Anaheim in the long-term:
"There’s a respect and trust level there that I don’t think will change. And I think the relationship is outstanding," added Minasian.
Due to the tight schedule between spring training, the World Baseball Classic and opening day, Ohtani will have his hands full. The 2021 American League MVP will miss Japan's training camp in February. He is set to travel to Japan on March 1 with Japan's first game against China on March 9.
Perry Minasian said Shohei Ohtani will be with the #Angels until around March 1 before leaving for the WBC. He will make one start in spring training with the Angels before leaving.
"Perry Minasian said Shohei Ohtani will be with the #Angels until around March 1 before leaving for the WBC. He will make one start in spring training with the Angels before leaving." - Jeff Fletcher
The tournament is set to take place from March 8-21. It will be jointly hosted by Japan, Taiwan and the USA. Japan will play in Pool B alongside South Korea, China, Australia and the Czech Republic. The Japanese are looking to win a record third championship after claiming the title in 2006 and 2009.
Shohei Ohtani is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season
Shohei Ohtani has played his entire four-year MLB career with the Angels. He has been their star player on both the offensive and defensive fronts. Minasian and Arte Moreno will be desperate to hold on to their most valuable asset.
@BRWalkoff
The Angels and Shohei Ohtani have agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract extension for the 2023 season 💰 @BRWalkoff https://t.co/EofM1paR9h
"The Angels and Shohei Ohtani have agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract extension for the 2023 season BRWalkoff" - Bleacher Report
A key factor in Ohtani's decision to leave may be the fact that the Los Angeles Angels have failed to qualify for the playoffs since 2014. For a player of Ohtani's caliber, playoff baseball is a must.
The New York Yankees and New York Mets are both rumored to be interested in signing Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Dodgers have also been mentioned as a possible fit. If the Angels fall short of the postseason in 2023, it seems very possible that the Japanese star will move on.