Trout: I'll 'do whatever I can' to keep Ohtani with Angels

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout understands how important Shohei Ohtani is to the team's success and wants the Japanese sensation to stick with the organization for years to come.

"I'm going to do whatever I can to keep him here," Trout said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

Ohtani is one of baseball's top talents, having been named American League MVP in 2021 and finishing runner-up last year.

The 28-year-old has become a worldwide sensation since joining the Angels before the 2018 season. However, the organization failed to reach the playoffs for an eighth straight season last year.

Ohtani said in October he had "a rather negative impression of this season" following another losing campaign in 2022, which also included rumors of him being traded.

Since then, the Angels have been clear in their commitment to the two-way sensation, with general manager Perry Minasian saying the superstar won't be traded before the 2023 campaign gets underway.

Owner Arte Moreno also recently dismissed Ohtani trade talk.

"It's true we could have traded him. But how do you get (back) a major-league starting pitcher and Cy Young candidate and, obviously, an MVP type?" Moreno said. "How do you trade for that? You can't."

Ohtani will be a free agent at the end of this season and could become the first player to sign a $500-million contract.