The quiet before Shohei Ohtani and his free agency storm, which is approaching following the completion of the 2023 World Series, will have significant consequences for the Los Angeles Angels’ future.

Ohtani has transformed the Angels’ front office’s rulebooks, record books, and overall eagerness since joining the team. Joe Maddon experienced personally how the two-way star performed on a daily basis throughout his stint from 2020 to 2022.

Ohtani’s skill has progressed from simply getting his foot in the door of Major League Baseball to gaining a grasp on the entire perception of how exceptional he is. With a full slate of suitors on the horizon, he stands to receive record-breaking contact.

In an appearance on Foul Territory: Baseball, Joe Maddon highlighted the whirlwind that will be Ohtani’s free agency.

“You have worked very hard to get to this point in your professional career, and the rules are set up for him to do so.” He wants to win, and that’s not just lip service; he actually wants to win. I believe he’ll join a team that, in his eyes, could be a perennial contender. Every year, he makes the playoffs. Give him the opportunity to pitch and hit on the biggest platform every year.”

Ohtani never appeared in a single playoff game with the Angels, and his biggest moment came in the 2023 World Baseball Classic when he threw the game-winning pitch for Team Japan. Now that he’s shown to himself and the MLB that he can be the best in the game, his options are limitless, and only he knows what he wants from his next stop:

“The other thing I believe is that when he first came over here, he wanted to be on the West Coast because it’s closer to Japan and possibly has more cultural similarities than other parts of the country.” After going through the league several times and having all of his successes, I believe he’ll go anywhere from New York to Toronto to Seattle, to San Diego, to wherever he wants to go because I believe he’s become more Americanized in the sense that he’s comfortable with a variety of things — he knows how this works.”

He’s set to earn his second American League MVP Award after leading the league in home runs, slugging percentage, wOBA, walk rate, and fWAR (6.6).

Pedro Martinez forecasts Shohei Ohtani’s next trip.

Although his final season with the Angels did not go as anticipated for him or the team, the all-in deadline strategy was an excellent attempt to make a postseason run. The Angels appear to have a clean slate, and Ohtani’s speculation is alive and well.

Pedro Martinez predicted that Ohtani’s next stop will be to the East Coast to play for the Boston Red Sox.