Shohei Ohtani is a revolutionary talent, but if the Mets want to land him prior to free agency this offseason, they’ll have to pay up.
The benefit of trading for a player like Shohei Ohtani prior to MLB Free Agency is that NY Mets owner Steve Cohen will have a leg up on the rest of the field to sign him to a long-term extension. That field is expected to be competitive for Ohtani’s services — the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, Giants and more could be interested.
Ohtani’s seems more willing to play for an East coast team this time around. When he was originally posted, Ohtani wanted to play closer to home — Japan, in this case — and therefore chose the Angels. It made the most sense.
Yet, now Ohtani is a global phenomenon. No matter where he plays, he’ll be well-received. A move east could give him the best shot at winning a World Series, which most now claim is his top priority.
If the Angels flutter closer to the trade deadline, could Ohtani be made available if his intentions of leaving Anaheim are clear? If so, the Mets are an obvious suitor, and it’ll be a massive trade package.
Shohei Ohtani trade: Mets prospect Francisco Alvarez
Francisco Alvarez is the best prospect in all of baseball, and he’d be the Angels top priority in any trade package for Ohtani. Alvarez is in the big leagues right now and has some postseason experience from last year’s Mets run.
Alvarez is one of the best hitting catchers in all of minor-league baseball. The 21-year-old has improved his pitch framing immensely the last few years, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be a long-term backstop in the majors. As some prognosticators note, he could project more to first base or another infield spot long-term.
For now, though, he’d instantly become the Angels top prospect and perhaps their starting catcher. Alvarez’s “loud contact,” as noted buy MLB Pipeline, sets him apart among top prospects with an impressive exit velocity off the bat. He knows how to find the barrel, and has knowledge of the strike zone as a catcher to boot.