MLB analyst predicts Shohei Ohtani will leave if the Angels don't make the playoffs

MLB analyst Jon Heyman believes it is imperative that the Angels of Anaheim at least reach the playoffs to guarantee some hope of retaining their star man, Shohei Ohtani.

While the pressure has been on Mike Trout and co for nine years now, the general belief in the Angels camp has never been stronger.

They believe this is the year they go big and fight for championships, but more importantly, to do their very best to persuade the Japanese two-position player to stay.

Heyman disclosed a conversation between him and Trout, where Trout even mentioned they were doing all this to give Shohei Ohtani something to think about. Heyman said:

"We want to do it to give him something to think about"

He told the New York Post:

"Mike Trout said this is the year, this is the year they're going to do it. He knows that it's been 9 years. He reads this stuff on the internet, 'Mike Trout better get to the playoffs. So generally, he wants to get to the playoffs, for him, for the Angels organization, and to try and keep Ohtani"

The analyst doesn't expect Ohtani to stay on in Anaheim if the LA Angels aren't to qualify on the back of his conversation with Mike Trout. He concluded:

"If they don't make the playoffs, they know he's a goner. If they do make the playoffs they're just giving him something to think about"

Heyman echoed the general sentiment that Shohei Ohtani is bound to leave at the end of the season and is inclined towards his West coast preference.

Shohei Ohtani could become the most expensive signing in the history of the MLB

While Aaron Judge and Justin Verlander both made the loudest noise this offseason with record-breaking deals, many expect Ohtani's contract to blow them all out of the water next offseason.

And who better than the Los Angeles Dodgers, keeping his west coast demand in check? New Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is eyeing the player in a recent piece, as reported by writer Robert Murray of Fansided.

Considering there is going to be a team holding out a truly gigantic contract offer next season, nobody can discount the Mets either. Steve Cohen has mentioned multiple times in the past that he wishes to bring back the glory days, and there is no signing better than Shohei Ohtani.