MLB

Fallen Angel: How Los Angeles Completely Wasted Shoei Ohtani

Darren - August 4, 2023

MLB

Fallen Angel: How Los Angeles Completely Wasted Shoei Ohtani

Darren - August 4, 2023

Desire to Win

Many fans and analysts question the Angels’ desire to win the World Series. Mike Trout also attracted criticism when he signed a new contract with the franchise. They said that he showed a lack of ambition and was part of the problem in L.A. The Angels had an opportunity to trade their star and rebuild the team.

Sometimes it’s necessary to take a big step back to take multiple steps forward. That’s why all eyes were on Ohtani in 2023. The Japanese star made no secret of his desire to win and gave the team a final chance. However, nobody now trusts Arte Moreno’s motivations or the front office’s business acumen (via Sportskeeda).

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Poor Roster Construction

The Angels’ front office couldn’t build a roster to save their lives. They make first-round picks with the logic of a drunk man flinging darts at a board. We must go back to 2009 when they last made a brilliant selection. Mike Trout was a hit but since then it’s been one disaster after another (via Pitcher List).

Meanwhile, we could write all day about their free agents and trades. Over the years, they’ve gone all-in on big names like Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols. But there are two problems with this approach and it’s held them back. First, the stars underperform or they hit their salary cap hard and this holds them back.

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No Support

Ohtani can have a brilliant record-breaking performance but the Angels still find ways to show they’re inept. They failed to provide him with the support he needs to close out games and beat opponents. For example, the Halos lost against the Royals in 2022 after Ohtani drove them to extras.

He went three-for-four with a dazzling display but this didn’t inspire his teammates. They went seven for 37 at the plate and showed why he can’t do it by himself. This is a small sample of the uphill struggle Ohtani faces in L.A. every week. He deserves better, and hopefully one day he’ll achieve it (via Fansided).

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Empty Promises

There’s a good reason why Arte Moreno is one of the least-popular Major League owners right now. The man is full of empty promises and fails to deliver when it looks impossible to fail. Los Angeles had so much potential as he poured money into the team. But there was no vision behind the crazy spending.

Then he went full General Custer by going all-in on Ohtani in 2023. He knew that the Japanese star could walk away as a free agent after the summer. It left the team with a massive and potentially generation-defining choice. However, nobody trusts Moreno to do the right thing because he never does (via Belly Up Sports).

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Fallen Angel: How Los Angeles Completely Wasted Shoei Ohtani

Fallen Angel: How Los Angeles Completely Wasted Shoei Ohtani

Desire to Win

Poor Roster Construction

No Support

Empty Promises

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