MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade buzz, Marcus Stroman surprise suitor, Rangers-White Sox blockbuster

MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade remains unlikely, even amid Angels downfall

Ashes, ashes, the Angels all fall down.

Just when it seemed as if the Los Angeles Angels were gearing up perfectly for a playoff push, things are falling apart rapidly for the Halos. Anthony Rendon is likely headed to the IL, where he would join Mike Trout, who could be out as long as two months. And if that weren’t enough, Shohei Ohtani left his latest start with a reported blister on his finger, an injury likely to keep him out of the All-Star Game.

With arguably the team’s three most important offensive pieces and biggest pitching weapon now injured while the Angels are already seven games out of the AL West lead and four games out of the final Wild Card spot is less than stellar. Naturally, that raises the question of, if the Angels suffer and fall out of contention now, is a Shohei Ohtani trade back on the table?

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the answer remains no.

"“But even though the Angels are in free fall, it would be an upset — a shock, even — if they dealt Shohei Ohtani.”"

Rosenthal’s breakdown of the situation suggests that the primary reason that the Angels won’t trade Ohtani is because it would essentially end any chance of the club re-signing him this offseason or keeping him long term.

I have no doubt that the Halos plan to offer a massive deal to the two-way Japanese superstar this offseason. Having said that, if the Angels are indeed trending toward a second half of the 2023 season that sees them fall clearly out of the playoff race, then he’s gone no matter what. He wants to compete, to contend, and to win. LA has not proven they can offer him that.

As such, it’s in the best interest of Los Angeles to trade Ohtani if they truly believe that the playoffs are no longer a viable option for the team. Even for a half-season rental, the Angels could still get a king’s ransom back in an Ohtani trade to help possibly contend in the future alongside Trout.

If they operate under the stubborn guise of not wanting to ruin their free agency chances, though, then they are surely setting themselves up to lose him still, but with nothing coming back in return.