Angels extend qualifying offer to Ohtani
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ANAHEIM -- The Angels officially extended a qualifying offer to two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani ahead of Monday’s 2 p.m. PT deadline, which means they’ll be eligible for Draft-pick compensation if Ohtani signs elsewhere this offseason.
The qualifying offer is worth $20.325 million for the 2024 season, but Ohtani will reject it before the Nov. 14 deadline because he’s looking for a long-term deal and is set to earn more than that annually. Ohtani, who will likely win the AL MVP Award for the second time in three seasons, is expected to command a record-breaking contract in free agency.
Ohtani, 29, slashed .304/.412/.654 with 44 homers, 26 doubles, eight triples, 20 stolen bases and 95 RBIs in 135 games as designated hitter in 2023. And in 23 starts on the mound, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
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But Ohtani sustained a torn ulnar collateral ligament in a start on Aug. 23 and underwent surgery in September that will keep him from pitching in 2024. Ohtani, though, is expected to return to two-way status in 2025.
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The Angels have made bringing back Ohtani their top priority this offseason, but they have plenty of other holes. They’re coming off an 89-loss season and are currently looking for a new manager.