MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals

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Jul 3, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts during an at-bat in the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

With the trade deadline approaching, here are the latest MLB rumors about Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.

MLB Rumors: Angels unlikely to trade Shohei Ohtani

Despite the Los Angeles Angels’ recent slide, the expectation remains that Shohei Ohtani will not be traded ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline.

If the Angels were to trade Ohtani now, they would surely get a fraction of what he’s worth considering that 1) he’s on an expiring contract and 2) dealing with a nagging fingernail/blister issue. If the Angels were ever to trade Ohtani, the time was to do it last year when he had 1.5 years of control remaining on his contract. Such a deal would have landed them a Juan Soto-like haul and set them up to be competitive in future seasons.

Still, teams will surely check in on Ohtani to see if the Angels’ stance has changed. But the expectation has, and remains, that the superstar two-way player will remain in Anaheim for the 2023 season, with the most intriguing free agency in baseball history looming in the offseason.

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