Ohtani focused on season, not pending free agency

TEMPE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani is concentrating on what could be his final season with the Los Angeles Angels and not on free agency next fall.

“This is my last year, I’m aware of this. As of now I’m an Angel, and that’s all I’m focused on,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara on Thursday.

Angels manager Phil Nevin said the two-way star will be on the mound for the March 30 opener at Oakland, which Ohtani called “a great honor.” First, Ohtani will report to Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

While Ohtani said he is open to a long-term contract with the Angels, he said repeatedly he wants to focus on 2023.

“I’m not really an expert on the free-agent market,” he said. “I’ve never been through it, so I don’t know what it feels like.”

Ohtani was runner-up to the Yankees’ Aaron Judge in American League MVP voting after winning the honor in 2021. Ohtani finished 2022 with a 15-9 record and a 2.33 ERA while hitting 34 home runs and driving in 95 runs.

“Certainly it can be a distraction for people, but Shohei’s mental toughness has impressed me more than anything,” Nevin said.

Ohtani said the new pitch clock rule is the biggest hurdle he has to deal with.

Los Angeles went 73-89 last year, finishing 33 games behind firstplace Houston in the West and 13 games back of the last wild card.

The Angels added former Dodgers left-hander Tyler Anderson, a Spring Valley product, for their rotation and traded for outfielder Hunter Renfroe and infielder Gio Urshela.

“I firmly believe they want to win as much as I do, but I can’t really tell you what they really are thinking,” Ohtani said. “But I would like to believe it.”

The Angels picked up additional help Thursday when left-hander Matt Moore agreed to a one-year, $7.55 million deal.

Moore was a full-time reliever for the first time last season, going 5-2 with a five saves and a 1.93 ERA for Texas. He struck out 83 and walked 38 in 74 innings, holding opponents to a .187 batting average.

Moore has also pitched for Tampa Bay (2011-16), San Francisco (201617), Texas (2018, 2022), Detroit (2019) and Philadelphia (2021).

Mark J. Terrill The Associated Press Shohei Ohtani is entering the final season of his deal with the Los Angeles Angels, with whom he has excelled on the mound and at the plate.