Shohei Ohtani Says He Hasn't Yet Discussed Contract Extension with Angels

Reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani said there have been "no talks yet" with the Los Angeles Angels about a potential contract extension.

"Before jumping ahead to anything, I'm still in the second year of my two-year deal coming up this season," Ohtani told Sam Blum of The Athletic on Monday. "So I'm just trying to complete that last year of the two-year contract."

The two-way sensation is set to enter the second season of that two-year, $8.5 million contract in 2022. He's scheduled for arbitration in 2023 and would be eligible to become a free agent in 2024 if the sides don't agree to an extension.

Ohtani put together a breakout year in 2021. He compiled a .965 OPS with 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases as a hitter and he tallied a 3.18 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings across 23 starts as a pitcher.

The 27-year-old won over a lot of new fans during the All-Star Game festivities. He participated in a memorable duel with Juan Soto in the Home Run Derby and then served as the AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter in the Midsummer Classic.

While the Angels will surely do everything in their power to sign him to a new long-term contract, a foray into free agency would have the potential to break records.

You're talking about a player who produced offensive numbers in line with a No. 3 hitter and pitching numbers that make him a borderline ace. Even if his pitching falters over time, he's still a middle-of-the-order designated hitter. If the DH comes to the National League in the new collective bargaining agreement, there would be no shortage of teams with interest.

A lot could depend on how L.A. performs over the coming seasons. It's built a powerhouse top of the lineup with Ohtani, Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh, but that lack of hitting depth, combined with a lackluster rotation, has doomed the Halos.

Any effort to significantly upgrade the pitching staff this offseason has been delayed by MLB's lockout, but the Angels should be active whenever free agency resumes. It can't afford to waste the remainder of the peak seasons from Ohtani and Trout, who missed most of last season with a calf injury.

Los Angeles hasn't made the playoffs since 2014 and hasn't won a postseason series since 2009, so there's a lot of pressure on the front office to end those droughts.

The Angels still have plenty of time to work out something with Ohtani, but if he only signs a one-year deal through arbitration next year, then the free-agency questions will become more serious.