MLB Rumors, All-Star Game edition: Shohei Ohtani, Marcus Stroman, Michael Lorenzen trade fits

MLB Rumors: Best Shohei Ohtani trade fit – Seattle Mariners

Shohei Ohtani is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in modern baseball. That’s not breaking news. However, his future is the talk of the MLB world as he’s set to hit free agency this summer. More pressingly, though, with the Angels faltering going into the break and without Mike Trout until likely the end of August, whether or not Los Angeles trades Ohtani in order to avoid losing him for nothing is at the forefront of the conversation.

Angels owner Arte Moreno has reportedly been steadfast about not trading the two-way superstar in hopes of being able to re-sign him. But Ohtani has made it clear that winning is what matters and, put simply, LA hasn’t been able to do that, even with two of baseball’s best on the roster, since Ohtani arrived from Japan.

Thus, the Angels probably should trade Ohtani at the deadline. And if they do, then the club hosting the 2023 All-Star Game has a great pitch for him. They are a potential winner in the AL West and a team in need of both starting pitching depth and power-hitting left-fielder. More importantly, they check boxes for Ohtani as a potential winner with a bright future alongside Julio Rodriguez, Luis Castillo and George Kirby, among others, a west coast team, and a place where he can live privately.

Frankly, it all makes sense. And though other teams may be able to offer more money in free agency, the Mariners have prospects to offer, even after the Castillo trade a year ago, that could entice the Angels.

And in case you’re wondering if the Mariners want him there, just listen to the fans in Seattle for the All-Star Game.

Suffice it to say, the city would make the generational talent feel beloved immediately.