MLB trade deadline: The best asset every team can trade for Shohei Ohtani
By Mark Powell
Best trade asset every AL Central team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
No AL Central teams have been mentioned in the mix for Ohtani should he reach free agency. In fact, most of these teams will likely be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, specifically the Royals, Tigers and White Sox. Still, let’s pretend this is a video game. What would it take to trade for Ohtani?
Detroit Tigers best trade asset: Riley Greene
Riley Greene has been injured on several occasions, but when he’s healthy he’s one of the best young outfielders in all of baseball. In fact, it’s unclear if the Tigers would consider parting with Greene, even for Shohei Ohtani, due to the burden of his contract. However, Greene is Detroit’s best young asset and hopefully will remain with the team for many years to come.
Kansas City Royals best trade asset: Bobby Witt, Jr.
No, Bobby Witt, Jr. is not available in trade talks with any team. The 23-year-old has a batting average of .257, OBP over .300 and has remained stable at a demanding defensive position. Assuming he can grow into his duties at shortstop, Witt, Jr. will remain a centerpiece of the next Royals playoff team.
Chicago White Sox best trade asset: Colson Montgomery
Chicago has already stated that Luis Robert Jr. and Dylan Cease are part of their Core Four. In any trade for Ohtani — and I should repeat this is not rumored — Montgomery would have to go. He is the top-rated White Sox prospect at No. 21 in all of baseball. Montgomery is a five-tool shortstop who at just 21 years old is closing in on the big leagues. He was a two-sport athlete entering the 2021 draft, but made the right call sticking with baseball. He’s hitting .429 in the minor leagues this season.
Cleveland Guardians best trade asset: Gavin Williams
Gavin Williams is the No. 11 prospect in all of baseball and made his big-league debut this season. He’s the Guardians best prospect and trade asset were they to go after Ohtani — which they will likely not. Williams is one of several reasons the Guardians feel comfortable shopping around Shane Bieber, or perhaps losing him in free agency. Cleveland develops pitching better than most organizations in the AL, and Williams is just another example of that.
Minnesota Twins best trade asset: Brooks Lee
Brooks Lee is a Double-A shortstop and the No. 19 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. Lee is technically blocked from playing shortstop at the big-league level by Carlos Correa, but something tells us the Twins will figure out a way to play them both. Correa, for one, has struggled this season, while Lee has thrived in Double-A, slashing .272/.355/.445. He has a high hit grade of 65.