MLB Rumors: Analyst predicts Shohei Ohtani will be in playoffs on NL West team

FOX Sports analyst Eric Karros believes the Los Angeles Angels will trade superstar Shohei Ohtani, and that he will play for this NL West team.

Entering the 2023 season, the MLB world speculated as to whether the Los Angeles Angels would consider trading superstar Shohei Ohtani. Then, the Angels got off to quite a run at the start, putting them in postseason contention. But since Mike Trout suffered a broken hamate bone this past month.

Now, with the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline getting closer, the Angels have reportedly indicated that they are willing to listen to offers on Ohtani. Whether they trade him remains a serious question.

That gets us into predictions. Being a mere matter of days until the Aug. 1 trade deadline, fans and media members are giving their opinions as to where Ohtani could get traded to.

On July 15, former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman and FOX Sports analyst Eric Karros was asked during an appearance on the network and was asked if Ohtani will play in the postseason. Karros said yes he will, but not as a member of the Angels. Instead, Karros predicts that Ohtani will be traded to the San Francisco Giants.

https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1680305271778816000?s=20

MLB analyst, former Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros predicts Giants trade for Shohei Ohtani

"“That makes all the sense in the world. They have the wherewithal to do it, then they get him for a couple of months to try and court him so they can sign him for free agency,” said Karros. “It makes all the sense, and you don’t think the Angels wouldn’t want to trade him to San Francisco to spite the Dodgers? Come on. This is drama.”"

If this were to come to fruition, what a get for the Giants. This is a Giants organization that missed out on signing plenty of big-name free agents over the years. From Bryce Harper to Aaron Judge to Carlos Correa (voided contract due to injury). Imagine if they were able to get the AL MVP favorite in the middle of this season.

The Giants are in prime position to contend for a postseason berth. They are 53-41 on the year as of July 18, just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers for first place in the NL West, and one game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. If the Giants want to pull ahead of their rivals, making a big splash at the trade deadline may be the way to go.

But, this is all dependent on Angels owner Arte Moreno giving the thumbs up to trade Ohtani. It is a tough position to be in, as Moreno would be known as the owner who traded away a generational superstar. But, Ohtani is set to become a free agent this winter, and he will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors. So, it would be best to get something in return as opposed to letting him walk for nothing.

The Angels will, understandably, looking for a hefty return for Ohtani, considering how well he’s played as a pitcher and a designated hitter.

Through 93 games, Ohtani recorded a .306 batting average, a .391 on-base percentage, a .677 slugging percentage, 35 home runs, 68 runs scored, 75 RBI, and 110 hits. As a starting pitcher, Ohtani recorded a 3.50 ERA, a 1.120 WHIP, 139 strikeouts, and 46 walks over 105.1 innings pitched (18 starts).

Will Ohtani get traded? We’ll get a better idea of it as we get closer to the Aug. 1 deadline.