ARLINGTON (Texas) -- Joe Maddon, Los Angeles Angels manager, said Tuesday that ShoheiOhtani's statements this weekend about wanting to win are not indicative of Ohtani leaving the team when he is a free agent in 2023.
Ohtani, an American League MVP frontrunner with 45 home runs, a 3.18 ERA and 45 RBI, stated Sunday that while he enjoys the team, fans, and atmosphere, winning is his main priority.
Maddon stated that "we all feel the same way -- and we all want win," before Tuesday's Angels game against Texas. "If anyone misunderstands that as though it's he wants to go, that's because he's trying to connect dots that weren’t necessarily what he said, and not at all what they were.
He also said how much he enjoys it here. The clubhouse's inner sanctuary, the coaches, and the guys. The surrounding area. The fans. They are all his favorite. All of us want to reach the next level. We see it as a possibility.
Six consecutive seasons of losing records have been recorded by the Angels. They have also missed the playoffs in seven years in a row, including the four previous seasons with Ohtani. Maddon and Mike Trout, the star outfielder, have both recently criticized the franchise's ineffective roster-building efforts.
Maddon stated last week that "this can't go on." We can't be in this situation every year. This organization is far better than that. We deserve better.
Ohtani stated Sunday, via Ippei Mizuhara, that it was "very frustrating, very disappointed" and that "I always look ahead to being in the playoff races at the end."
Maddon believes Ohtani doesn't plan to jump ship at the first chance.
Maddon stated, "Don't forget the platitudes he mentioned regarding all other things because I think that that overrides just stating that he wants win and somehow connect that with he wants leave."
