Angels owner Arte Moreno’s big goal is to keep Shohei Ohtani long term, and his call to go for it is just another indication that’s what drives him. Perhaps they have a better chance than anyone else thinks.
Though the Angels have yet to make the playoffs since Ohtani’s arrival, word from one person is “[Ohtani] loves it out there. He’s very comfortable there.”
The Angels let him do his two-way thing, which was a good baseball call anyway. And though they haven’t yet made the playoffs, they showed him they are trying.
Some have suggested the Angels’ chances to keep him are no better than 5 percent, but Moreno may be more motivated than anyone else, and he has a history of signing stars (Mike Trout twice, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, etc.). The Dodgers, Giants, Padres and Mariners are the most-mentioned likely landing spots for Ohtani. But don’t discount the Angels.
Many teams bid on Lucas Giolito, and the Dodgers made a competitive offer to the crosstown Angels’ winning bid on the L.A. product.
The Angels have talked to the Nationals abut Jeimer Candelario.
The belief is Nolan Arenado might be willing to approve a trade to a few places. Alden Gonzalez of ESPN suggested he might OK a deal to the hometown Dodgers. Rivals suggest there’s little chance the Cardinals trade Arenado. They just aren’t used to the sale thing. They are trying to extend top reliever Jordan Hicks.
The Rays, Rangers, Braves and Dodgers are teams believed in on Lance Lynn. The Astros, Orioles, Giants, Reds and Diamondbacks also seek pitching.
The active Dodgers, who pared down in winter, are looking at Joe Kelly, Robert Murray of FanSided reported. The White Sox also have Keynan Middleton and Kendall Graveman available.
The White Sox are having a nice sale, but interest is limited so far in struggling star Tim Anderson.
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