MLB Rumors: 3 Shohei Ohtani trade fits and what each team can offer the Angels
While a Shohei Ohtani trade feels very unlikely, it isn’t impossible. Here are three potential trade fits in case the Angels do move him.
With the Los Angeles Angels at 46-48, and nine games back in the American League West, there is a strong argument to be made that the team should trade Shohei Ohtani.
If the Angels miss the postseason, which looks increasingly likely, then Ohtani is as good as gone as a free agent. By entertaining offers for him, the Angels could start up a bidding war, and get a sizable haul in return for the superstar two-way player. Of course, it would be less than what they could have received had they moved Ohtani last trade deadline, with it possible — if not likely — that he would have netted the Angels a haul similar to, or in excess, of the package that the Washington Nationals received for Juan Soto.
But there’s skepticism that Arte Moreno will entertain the possibility of trading Ohtani, not wanting to be the team owner responsible for trading arguably the most talented player in baseball history.
Let’s say that the Angels do explore an Ohtani trade. Here are three potential trade fits and what each team can offer, with Jon Morosi of MLB.com reporting that a team “must be prepared to offer multiple top-100 type prospects to begin the conversation.”
MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade fits and packages 3 teams could offer
3. Tampa Bay Rays
In recent days, the Rays have been mentioned as a potential fit for an Ohtani trade, and it makes sense. They possess high-end minor-leaguers — Junior Caminero, Curtis Mead, Kyle Manzardo, among others — as well as young, cheap major-league players (Josh Lowe) that could entice the Angels.
That said, if the Angels do make Ohtani available, that would result in an all-out bidding war between many contending teams. And it would surely dwindle any chance that Ohtani is traded to the Rays.
Expect the Rays to look into Ohtani, however. They have poked around in recent years looking to acquire a big name, most recently Freddie Freeman when he was a free agent. But it’s likely that the Rays will come up empty once again.
Grading the fit: 6/10