It is another dreary August around Angel Stadium, and given recent history maybe that should qualify as only a mild surprise.

The Angels were tied for first in the AL West as recently as mid-May, after all. But their stunningly rapid fall — 18-45 since May 16 going into Saturday night’s game against the Rangers — has people throughout baseball wondering if they need to start a rebuild by trading Shohei Ohtani before Tuesday’s deadline.

There are no indications that will actually happen. But there are few other options to turn around a team that has reached a dead end, way closer to getting caught by the last-place Oakland A’s — a team that’s blatantly tanking — than competing for a wild-card berth in an expanded playoff field.

There should be a lot of questions about a lot of people’s futures in the Angels’ organization. One has already been posed.

After striking out 11 in six innings Thursday night in a 2-0 loss to Texas, Ohtani was asked directly whether he expected to stay with the Angels, either short-term (beyond Tuesday) or long-term (when he’s eligible for free agency after next season).

“Regardless of where I’m playing, I’m going to give it my all and try to win the ballgame that’s right in front of me,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippie Mizuhara. “I’m with the Angels right now and I’m very thankful for what