SEATTLE – Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani said on Sunday he was “very open” to negotiating a long-term contract with the club during the offseason.

Ohtani spoke ahead of the Angels’ regular season finale in Seattle. Ohtani could have pitched on the turn on the last day of the season, but chose to skip his last start. He was the designated hitter and led the Angels roster for the final game of a possible MVP season.

“Of course I will be very open to negotiating. I mean the team has supported me during these four years and I am really grateful for that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “Whether or not there are contract extensions, I just want, like I said earlier, to be ready and ready for next season.”

Ohtani is finishing his fourth season with the Angels and signed a two-year, $ 8.5 million contract that pays $ 5.5 million next year in his final season. He is eligible for salary arbitration after the 2022 season and free agency after the 2023 season, if the rules do not change following the expiration of the collective agreement on December 1.

Ohtani entered the final day as the presumed leader of the AL MVP race after going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts on the mound and hitting 45 home runs at home.

“I was really happy to finish the season without any injuries,” said Ohtani. “And honestly, I wish I could have had a season like this a little earlier. This is my fourth year so I think it took a bit too long.”

But the team’s performance on the pitch fell short of Ohtani’s aspirations when he arrived from Japan Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in 2018. The Angels will finish in fourth place against AL West for the fourth consecutive season, besieged by the injuries of Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. . Los Angeles has yet to record a record above .500 since the arrival of Ohtani.

“I think the most important thing is the guys we have right now, we have to have an offseason so that we can stay healthy all next year so that we can compete,” Ohtani said. “Any additions in the offseason, I mean I’ll be looking forward to seeing all the additions they are going to make.”

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