MLB Rumors: Insider reveals more surprise ‘teams to watch’ for Shohei Ohtani

An MLB insider just dropped some new teams in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes at the trade deadline. 

A player of Shohei Ohtani’s caliber needs no introduction, nor does he have any shortage of suitors. Ohtani is set to become a free agent after the 2023 season, but depending on what the Los Angeles Angels do at the MLB trade deadline, he could be available much earlier.

Any team with a chunk of change and a handful of young prospects will be smacking their lips at Ohtani near the deadline, as his remaining $10 million salary on his contract is but one con outweighed by innumerable pros.

The Yankees. Diamondbacks. Dodgers. Reds. These teams have all been rumored at one point or another to go after the Japanese phenom should he become available, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently added one more to the list: the Baltimore Orioles.

Rosenthal writes about a potential Ohtani-Orioles trade:

"In a season in which perennial AL powers the Yankees, Astros and Red Sox are relatively down, Ohtani would be a left-handed hitter perfectly suited for Camden Yards and the top-of-the-rotation starter the Orioles need. The team, which features a number of young starters, would benefit from the six-man rotation necessary to accommodate Ohtani, too."

Orioles enter the Shohei Ohtani trade conversation

While other teams may have deeper pockets, the Orioles have a beefy list of top prospects. Baltimore has seven players in the top 77 of Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list, including highly touted 19-year-old shortstop Jackson Holliday.

The Orioles currently sit in second in the AL East behind the Rays with a sterling winning percentage that’s good for third-best in the league. They’re a more slept-on team when it comes to the World Series contender conversation, but a trade for Ohtani would automatically catapult them into the front of the pack.

What might an Ohtani trade to the Orioles look like? Rosenthal suggests that the only off-limits players for Baltimore are Holliday, catcher Adley Rutschman, infielder Gunnar Henderson and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.

Keeping that core intact and bringing on a two-way superstar would be a dream come true for Charm City. Ohtani would be the best thing to happen to Baltimore since Ray Lewis, and the Orioles have to at least consider this open-ended, wondrous possibility.

MLB Rumors: Another surprise team for Shohei Ohtani

While Baltimore has been suggested as an Ohtani destination, the Texas Rangers had not — until now. At the end of his Wednesday column, Rosenthal hints that Texas could enter the conversation should the Angels allow it.

"“The Rangers are another team to watch if Ohtani becomes available…The Rangers’ farm system is deep, but perhaps lacking in star power. The team placed five prospects in BA’s top 100, led by outfielder Wyatt Langford, whom they chose fourth overall out of Florida in the recent amateur draft. The publication ranked Langford 10th on its list, outfielder Evan Carter 11th, second baseman Luisangel Acuña (Ronald’s younger brother) 88th, shortstop Sebastian Wolcott 91st and right-hander Owen White 98th.”"

Texas has young talent it could trade to the Halos for a half-year of Ohtani. The front office has proven a willingness to spend, as well, meaning Texas could very well make Ohtani a competitive offer this offseason.