The agent of Shohei Ohtani, who will hit the FA market after this season, finally opened his mouth.
Nez Valero of CAA Sports had an interview with local media on the 21st (Korean time) in Tempe, Arizona, where the Los Angeles Angels’ spring training is being held.먹튀검증
Regarding the possibility of extending his contract with the Angels during this spring training period, Valero said, “The possibility is always open. However, there are many things to consider. If Ohtani plays this season, he can acquire free agent rights and go to the market. . We plan to see what happens,” he said, “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. We’ll look at the situation one day at a time. Don’t be fooled.”
In other words, you can’t talk about specific things all at once. It can be said that he is considering all circumstances, including the extension of his contract with the Angels, the possibility of a trade during the season, and the movement of the free agent market.
Ohtani will be ‘free’ for the first time in his life once he finishes this season. Following the unanimous MVP in 2021, he left a record of being the first player to fill both regulation at bats and regulation innings last season. He took 4th place in the Cy Young Award voting and 2nd place in the MVP voting, leading his two-time double career to its peak. It is well worth the prospect that he is likely to sign a contract worth $500 million.
In this regard, ESPN said, “The LA Dodgers and New York Mets are widely recognized as the most aggressive bets, and the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners also have payroll flexibility to participate in the recruitment war.” Ohtani last summer and this winter The Angels, who refused to trade, are also thinking of tying him up.”
In such a sensitive situation, you can’t carelessly talk about the contract of the biggest player in the major leagues. Valero thoroughly blocked the reporters’ questions about the contract extension negotiations with the Angels that day.
On the official interview on the first day of spring training, Ohtani also said, “I don’t know what Valero and the club are talking about. I haven’t heard anything about an extension contract. I’m just focusing on the season. I don’t think about it,” he said, expressing the same position as the agent.
Valero said: “Ohtani, like all good players, is competitive. He wants the postseason, he wants to be in the World Series. But will that be the deciding factor? I don’t know. We have to wait and see and talk about it.” He made a somewhat unexpected statement.
Previously, Ohtani had said he hoped for a chance to advance to the postseason and even win the World Series. It is interpreted that Valero is acknowledging the Angels’ efforts to build a postseason power this offseason. The Angels are well aware of the importance of showing Ohtani the will to fall baseball.
Valero said, “Ohtani has been here for five years. This year is his last season. I know there are a lot of questions ahead of free agency. What he wants, where he wants to go, etc. Ohtani and I, day by day. He said, “I hope Ohtani enjoys this situation. He will be doing the same. I will continue to do it like now.”