Although Shohei Ohtani has undeniable talent and shown the ability to be both a pitcher and position player, he has also shown that it is not a sustainable path.
Yesterday, Ohtani had to leave his start against the Cincinnati Reds yesterday and a MRI has revealed a torn UCL which could very well lead to his second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani previously underwent the procedure at the end of the 2018 season missing nearly the entire 2019 season. For the time being, however, Ohtani will remain in the Los Angeles Angels lineup as a DH.
He would have his breakout season in 2021 earning the AL MVP and is considered an odds-on favorite to win it for the second time in three seasons as he leads the AL in HRs with 44 and is hitting a career high .304. This despite the fact the Angels have never enjoyed a winning season during his tenure with the ballclub and actually haven't posted a winning record since 2015. In view of this fact, I think Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. ought to have won the AL MVP in 2021 while I also believe Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodriguez as a more deserving recipient this season.
Ohtani is a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and this injury could not have come at a worse time. Yet at the same time, I think it is very clear that Shohei Ohtani should never throw another pitch as a big-league player. His long-term value is as an offensive player. Although he has posted a more than respectable 38-19 record on the mound, the time has come for Ohtani to leave the pitching to others.
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