Minasian mum on Ohtani talks, congratulates departed star

ANAHEIM -- A day after Shohei Ohtani was officially introduced with the Dodgers, Angels general manager Perry Minasian declined to discuss the club’s contract negotiations with the two-way superstar.

Ohtani, who played with the Angels for six seasons from 2018-23 and won American League MVP Awards in 2021 and ’23, signed a 10-year deal worth $700 million with the Dodgers, with $680 million deferred. The Angels reportedly declined to match the Dodgers’ offer, but Minasian wouldn’t comment on the specifics.

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“I understand the magnitude of this deal, but I just don't discuss negotiations,” Minasian said. “I've said that since Day 1, when I arrived. There's no benefit in it. But Shohei, what he did here in the last three years specifically, he was an unbelievable player, and I congratulate him on his deal and wish him the best.”

Minasian said the Angels knew this was a possibility. Now it’s up to them to pivot this offseason, as they’re still looking to add to the roster. Los Angeles is roughly $70 million under the luxury tax, so it has plenty of flexibility to add talent.

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"[Ohtani is] one of the best players who ever played for this organization, and we understand that, but life goes on,” Minasian said. “We're going to take the rest of the offseason and work as hard as we can to put a really competitive team on the field."

Minasian, though, declined to say how much the Angels are willing to spend this offseason or if they are willing to go past the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), like they did at the Trade Deadline. He added that he had “zero regrets” about last year’s Deadline decisions, including not trading Ohtani, because Los Angeles was still in the race at that point.

“This is a group that wants to win, and what ownership has committed over the years, I think it says that,” Minasian said. "We're going to make this team better this offseason. It's still early in the sense of a market standpoint and what's available. So we'll continue to have discussions, whether it be free agents or whether it be through trade, and we'll see where the offseason takes us.”

The Angels have made a few moves this offseason, signing veteran relievers Luis Garcia, Adam Cimber and Adam Kolarek to one-year deals and trading for first baseman Evan White and lefty reliever Tyler Thomas. But improving the pitching staff is now the club’s top goal after losing Ohtani, as he was the club’s best pitcher. It now lacks a true ace.

One domino fell on Friday, as the Dodgers were reportedly close to acquiring Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow, but Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes, Guardians righty Shane Bieber and White Sox righty Dylan Cease are reportedly available via trade. And there are several top starting pitchers available in free agency, such as two-time Cy Young Award-winner Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, while free agents include Marcus Stroman, Lucas Giolito and Japanese lefty Shōta Imanaga.

“It's definitely a priority, whether it's the rotation or the bullpen,” Minasian said. “I think we can use help in both areas. Lineup-wise, we have a lot of flexibility with the players we have. When you have a Luis Rengifo and a Brandon Drury who can move around and play multiple positions, that gives you versatility, which is really important. So we’re going to look for specific players who fit us and what we’re all about.”

While the primary focus will be on improving the pitching staff, the Angels also have to replace Ohtani’s bat. Minasian said they have been discussing how they want to utilize the designated hitter next year, as they could add a bat-first player this offseason or use it to rotate veteran players such as Anthony Rendon and Mike Trout.

There are several bat-first players available in free agency. J.D. Martinez, Jorge Soler, Teoscar Hernandez and Rhys Hoskins could fit that mold if the Angels decide it makes sense.

“If the right bat is there and it fits and has a chance to really impact the offense in the middle of the order, maybe that's the route we go,” Minasian said. “Maybe it’s worth limiting our flexibility there. But there’s also a sentiment to leave it open and rotate guys there and maybe it improves their health. We’ve discussed every scenario for the last eight to 10 weeks so that we would be ready for this moment.”