Angels' Shohei Ohtani Hasn't Had 'Deep' Talks on New Contract; With LA 'As of Now'

His impending free agency in 2024 isn't a primary concern for Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani said Thursday he and the Angels haven't engaged in "deep" discussions regarding his future. He added he's a member of the Angels "as of now."

"I'm really not thinking about free agency right now," the 2021 American League MVP told reporters. "I've never been a free agent, so I don't know what it feels like. Like I said, I'm focused on the season, I'm not trying to think too far ahead.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said in November that the team isn't looking to trade Ohtani before the start of this coming season. The team announced Thursday that the right-hander will start on Opening Day against the Oakland Athletics.

The sheer scope of what Ohtani is likely to earn on his next contract raises questions about whether he'll stay with the Angels beyond this season.

ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote in January that the two-way star could be the first player in MLB history to sign for $500 million. Jon Heyman of the New York Post also canvassed a few agents in December, with one projecting an 11-year, $550 million contract.

At the very least, the 28-year-old looks poised to eclipse the $426.5 million Trout got from Los Angeles, which remains the biggest deal in MLB history.

What makes Ohtani's value so difficult to project is that he's both an elite hitter and pitcher. In 2022, he had 34 home runs and a 145 OPS+ while posting a 2.40 FIP and averaging 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings, per Baseball Reference. He finished runner-up to Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race and was fourth in the AL Cy Young voting.

Ohtani did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2018, so he might not be a two-way player to this scale at some point in the not-too-distant future.

Speaking with Heyman at the MLB owner meetings earlier in February, Angels owner Arte Moreno affirmed his desire to see Ohtani with the Halos beyond 2023.

"I'd like to keep Ohtani," he said. "He's one of a kind, He's a great person. He's obviously one of the most popular baseball players in the world, and he's an international star. He's a great teammate. He works hard. He's a funny guy, and he has a really good rapport with fans."

Ohtani's inevitable demands will put Moreno's comments to the test.