Let’s make one thing clear before we really dive in.

No, it is not surprising or newsworthy that Shohei Ohtani has a “negative impression” of a 73-89 season. Any player who doesn’t — whether or not they compiled an MVP-caliber year — is either lying or doesn’t care about winning.

Comments from the Japanese superstar made the rounds on Tuesday when the Associated Press published a fairly standard story based on an interview conducted at the Tokyo airport.

MLB

Shohei Ohtani Says He Has 'Negative Impression' of Angels Season After Losing Record

“I have to say that August and September in particular felt longer to me than last year,” Ohtani said in Japanese, translated by the AP. “We were not able to play as many good games as we would like — including 14 consecutive losses. So I have a rather negative impression of the season.”

Again, it’s unsurprising. There aren’t many, if any, players in the Angels clubhouse who would tell you differently. It was an awful season. Some players progressed. But more regressed. Major foundational flaws in the organization were exposed. A manager was fired. The owner said he’d sell, leaving countless unanswered questions about the short-term and long-term future.

Ohtani’s comments in this interview, on their own, shouldn’t be taken out of context. They shouldn’t be used as evidence of a potentially negative perception he has toward the Angels because this situation is complex and incredibly nuanced.

The harsh reality is this: His comments on Tuesday aren’t evidence of much. But there are enough of his comments out there for justified skepticism that Ohtani desires to remain in Anaheim long-term. He is signed for $30 million through the end of the 2023 season, thanks to an early October contract that avoided arbitration. Then he’s a free agent.

When asked following his Oct. 5 start about the Angels’ chances of reaching the postseason next year and his chances of staying long-term, this was his answer.

“I don’t have much to say about the offseason transactions,” Ohtani said. “But what I have control over is for me to get better in the offseason. Do better than last year. Do better than this year. The better I get, the better chances of us getting in the postseason.”