Shohei Ohtani drives up asking price with ridiculously clutch performance

Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani got out of a bases-loaded jam during the July 28 game against the Texas Rangers.

Just when you thought the MLB trade deadline could not get anymore interesting, the Los Angeles Angels have stepped things up. According to Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Angels have told teams that they are listening to trade offers for anyone, and that includes two-way star Shohei Ohtani. Whether he actually does get traded remains to be seen, considering we are just days away from the Aug. 2 deadline.

But, Ohtani did prove just how good he can be for any team he plays for. Whether that is the Angels or someone else.

Facing off against the Texas Rangers on Thursday, July 28, Ohtani found himself in a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning. Ohtani allowed three consecutive singles to Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Jonah Heim in his first three batters faced. Yet, he was able to get out of the jam without an earned run to his credit, as he got Nathaniel Howe, Adolis Garcia, and Leody Taveras to strike out swinging.

Shohei Ohtani shows out with trade rumors running rampant

Ohtani did surrender two runs in the game, on a solo homer by Lowe in the top of the fourth inning and an RBI double by Seager in the fifth. Unfortunately for Ohtani, he had no run support the entire game, as the Angels lost 2-0 and he was handed his sixth loss of the season.

Heyman and Sherman noted that the Angels trading Ohtani seemed unlikely, but the team is listening to all offers. In fact, two executives who spoke with the Angels regarding Ohtani called the odds of them trading the star “very slim” and “almost zero.”

Another executive said that the Angels are looking for a team’s top four prospects in return for Ohtani.

After this season, Ohtani has one more year of arbitration remaining before he hits unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2023 season.

This year, Ohtani is slashing .254/.349/.486 while recording 21 home runs, 59 RBI and 91 hits in 96 games. On the mound, Ohtani recorded a 2.81 ERA, a 1.017 WHIP, 145 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 99.1 innings (17 starts).

Ohtani may or may not get traded at the deadline, but he showed just how good he is to those who are interested in making a call to the Angels.