ANAHEIM, Calif.—Shohei Ohtani gracefully weaved through the cluttered Los Angeles Angels’ clubhouse, sharing heartfelt embraces and signing memorabilia with his teammates as they packed up for the offseason. The air was thick with uncertainty, as everyone knew this could potentially be Ohtani’s last game with the team after an extraordinary six-year tenure. The future of their beloved two-way superstar hangs in the balance, casting a shadow over all other lingering questions surrounding the Halos.
Brandon Drury put on a show, smashing two home runs, doubling, and driving in three runs to lead the Angels to a 7–3 victory over the Oakland Athletics, who finished the season with the worst record in the major leagues. It was a fitting end to the Angels’ eighth consecutive losing season.
Ohtani, despite having recently undergone surgery on his pitching elbow, remained in the Angels’ dugout throughout the weekend, passionately cheering on his teammates. With the World Series approaching, Ohtani’s impending free agency looms large, and the Angels’ lack of success during his time in Anaheim adds to the uncertainty.
Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak, who had a breakout season hitting behind Ohtani, expressed his desire for Ohtani to remain an Angel for the rest of his career, acknowledging that the decision ultimately lies with Ohtani and his family. Moniak said, “I’d love to be his teammate for a really long time.”
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Carson Fulmer (41) delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 1, 2023. (John McCoy/AP Photo)
The Angels concluded another disappointing season with a 73–89 record, matching their performance from the previous year and extending their streak of non-playoff campaigns to nine. They currently hold the longest active streak of losing records in the majors, and their playoff drought is tied with the Detroit Tigers for the longest in the league.
Despite being 56–51 at the trade deadline and making several acquisitions to bolster their chances, the Angels faltered down the stretch, enduring a seven-game losing streak and finishing the season with a 17–38 record in the final two months. Injuries to Ohtani, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Taylor Ward further compounded their struggles.
Manager Phil Nevin, uncertain about his future with the team, commended the unity and resilience displayed by the players. He said, “It wasn’t fun. It’s not fun ending the way we did, but it’s a great group in there. There’s a lot of great things that are on the horizon here with the young players and the guys coming back. Good future.”
No end-of-season news conference was scheduled with general manager Perry Minasian, whose tenure is also in question after three unsuccessful years.
Randal Grichuk, possibly playing his final game with the Angels, made an impact with a home run. Grichuk, who was drafted by the Angels before Mike Trout in 2009 but was later traded and reacquired this season, bid farewell in style.
Drury continued his impressive debut season with the Angels, hitting his 25th home run in the first inning. He also doubled and scored on Jo Adell’s single, before adding a two-run shot for his 26th homer in the fifth.
In Attendance
The Angels drew a crowd of 26,539 fans for their season finale, bringing their total attendance at the Big A this season to 2,640,575. While this figure surpassed last season’s attendance, it fell short of the numbers seen during every other full-capacity season in Anaheim since 2002, when the franchise clinched its only World Series championship and enjoyed 17 consecutive seasons with at least 3 million fans.
Up Next
Athletics: The Oakland Athletics will host the Colorado Rockies in their spring training opener on Feb. 24.
Angels: The Los Angeles Angels will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in their spring training opener on Feb. 24.
By Greg Beacham
How important is it for the Angels to address their pitching staff and strengthen their defense in order to convince Ohtani to stay?
Ngels fell short once again. The team struggled with inconsistent pitching, defensive errors, and a lack of offensive production. This has led to frustration among fans and a sense of urgency to turn things around.
One bright spot for the Angels this season was, of course, Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese phenom continued to dazzle both on the mound and at the plate. Despite his injury, Ohtani put up impressive numbers, hitting 47 home runs and recording a 3.18 ERA. His talent and versatility have made him one of the most exciting players in the game.
However, as the season comes to an end, Ohtani’s future with the Angels remains uncertain. With his impending free agency, many believe that he may choose to leave and seek greener pastures elsewhere. The Angels have made it clear that they want to keep Ohtani and build a team around him, but ultimately, the decision lies in his hands.
Teammates, like the aforementioned Mickey Moniak, express their desire for Ohtani to stay. They see him as a key piece in the team’s success and hope to continue playing alongside him. Moniak’s sentiment echoes that of many fans who have grown to love and appreciate Ohtani’s unique talents.
The Angels’ lack of success during Ohtani’s time in Anaheim is a concern. Despite his individual brilliance, the team has failed to make the playoffs year after year. This raises questions about the organization’s ability to provide Ohtani with a winning environment and the pieces needed to compete for a championship.
Going forward, the Angels must address these concerns if they hope to convince Ohtani to stay. They need to make significant improvements to the pitching staff and strengthen the defense. Additionally, they must be active in the free-agent market and acquire players who can complement Ohtani’s skills.
The future of Shohei Ohtani hangs in the balance, and the decisions made by the Angels in the upcoming offseason will play a significant role. It is crucial for the team to demonstrate their commitment to winning and show Ohtani that he can achieve his goals by staying in Anaheim.
As the Angels pack up for the offseason, there is a sense of uncertainty and anticipation for what lies ahead. The team has a lot of work to do to turn their fortunes around and convince Ohtani that his future is with the Halos. Only time will tell if they are successful in their endeavors, but one thing is for certain—Ohtani’s impact on the team and the game of baseball as a whole cannot be understated.
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