Shohei Ohtani rumors: 5 monstrous trade packages to land Angels star

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 17, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 17, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Angels vs. Rangers prediction
Jun 9, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Shohei Ohtani rumors: A SF Giants trade package

After missing out on Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, the San Francisco Giants are in search of a star player to build their next playoff team around. Shohei Ohtani would be perfect.

The Bay Area is quiet enough — I for one would absolutely visit Ohtani’s vineyard in Napa Valley — and the Giants are committed to winning long term. FanSided’s Robert Murray listed the Giants as a potential trade suitor, though he did note it’s more likely they wait until free agency.

"“The Giants are being connected, both in the national and local media, to Ohtani. He would give them the superstar that they have desperately sought. He would be their best player since Barry Bonds and finally give the team the foundational piece to build around. The Giants also have the young players — Kyle Harrison, Marco Luciano, Joey Bart, Luis Matos, among others — that would entice the Angels. But it’s not in Farhan Zaidi’s playbook to part with a significant portion of the farm system for a rental player, not even one of Ohtani’s caliber.”"

All that young talent could be on the line if the Giants make an offer for Ohtani. Here is what I’m thinking.

Cobb is a controllable veteran starter who can slide right into the front end of the Angels rotation. Harrison is the best prospect in the Giants system, and ranked No. 11 in all of baseball. Bart has struggled in the bigs, but was formerly seen as the replacement for Buster Posey. Artega is a top-10 prospect in San Francisco’s system, and still in his teens. If he can stick at shortstop he’ll be a valuable commodity.

And THAT is what it takes to acquire Ohtani, fair or not.