The Angels’ 2023 season ended similarly to their previous decade, with a losing record and their ninth consecutive postseason absence.

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star, is ready to hit free agency again, and his old manager feels he has just one attitude for his baseball future.

Joe Maddon was on the Foul Territory podcast this week and discussed Shohei’s forthcoming tour through the open market.

Because of the Angels’ mediocrity, Ohtani has yet to see a winning record in his six-year career, let alone a single meaningful game in October.

Injuries plagued the AL Rookie of the Year in 2018, and he underwent Tommy John surgery, keeping him off the mound in 2019.

Ohtani was injured again in 2020, and the team missed the playoffs despite a high-priced addition of Anthony Rendon to join Japanese legend and franchise cornerstone Mike Trout.

Several analysts questioned Ohtani’s two-way future after the 2016 season, but it was Maddon who confirmed it.

As the baseball world witnessed how powerful a healthy Ohtani could be, the proverbial training wheels came off.

Three consecutive seasons of 9 WAR, two potential MVP titles, three straight All-Star selections, and a World Baseball Classic MVP merely scratch the surface of the unicorn’s incredible three-year run.

The superstar had elbow and oblique problems in 2023, but his free-agent market should still be substantial.

If Ohtani chooses Queens, New York, and its huge finances owing to owner Steve Cohen will be quite the destination, along with his countryman Kodai Senga.

A postseason absence for the Mets in 2023 may disrupt the win-or-lose mentality exhibited by Ohtani.

As the perennial NL West champions and 100-game winners that they are, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be very interested in Ohtani.

However, their dismal postseason may also force Ohtani to relocate.

Even if he doesn’t pitch in 2024, multiple teams should be interested in signing baseball’s largest free agent ever this winter.