Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Comments on Angels Retaining Shohei Ohtani, Says AL West Remains Wide Open

LOS ANGELES, CA - Manager Dave Roberts (#30) of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after Freddie Freeman (#5) scored a run in the third inning of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on April 5, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

The Freeway Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels is one of the most heated rivalries in sports, but there are times that either of these two pull for each other to break through.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stopped by the Jim Rome Show, and there, he praised their rivals for keeping two-way superstar and runaway 2023 MVP Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese superstar will become a free agent next season, but the Angels once tried to consider trading him away with their record not looking good at the start of the second half.

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They made a U-turn and instead became buyers in the free agency by adding Lucas Giolito.

Roberts thinks Halos owner Arte Moreno is worth praising for holding on to Ohtani.

"I applaud the Angels, I applaud Arte and all those guys for making that happen... It's good to see those guys go all in and be buyers at the deadline. That AL West is wide open."

What's the situation in AL West?

The Angels climbed in the MLB's latest power rankings from 18 to 16 and are currently fourth in the American League West division.

That sounds like a precarious position, but the division is indeed wide open as the Halos are just a game behind Seattle Mariners and 6.5 games behind leaders Texas Rangers.

The Angels are looking for their first playoff appearance since 2014. Ohtani has yet to make the playoffs and has already made it known that he wants to win with his current team.

If the Halos pushed the right buttons, it would be an exciting time for LA.

Related article: Shohei Ohtani No Longer Available As Angles Make Playoff Push

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