Fansided

3 teams that still wouldn’t be World Series contenders after trading for Shohei Ohtani

By Tim Boyle

Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after drawing a walk during the third inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on after drawing a walk during the third inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Shohei Ohtani
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA- MAY 21: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels points to third baseman Gio Urshela #10 after he turns a double play against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

2) The Twins wouldn’t be World Series contenders if they traded for Shohei Ohtani

The Minnesota Twins don’t meet Ohtani’s desire to have the Pacific Ocean nearby. How does he feel about the Great Lakes? It’d be the closest thing he’d get to the ocean if he landed on the Twins roster. This would be a pretty awesome move for Minnesota. However, if that’s all they do, it doesn’t make them World Series contenders.

The Twins have a starting rotation up there with anyone else this season. One could argue they don’t need to add the starting pitching part of Ohtani.

At the plate, it has been a completely different story for the Twins. They don’t hit. Round two of Carlos Correa, which will last much longer than the first, looks like it may have been a mistake. This offensively-challenged ball club has a serious shot to make the postseason on the backs of their starting pitching. The weak AL Central has allowed the Twins to stay relevant despite being so average.

Add Ohtani and not much will change. The Twins would still probably look like the weakest American League playoff club. Minnesota needs a lot more than one spectacular hitter in their lineup even if he is a unicorn that can pitch for them, too.

When it comes to the Twins, quantity of bats may beat out the quality.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors