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) /
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Shohei Ohtani
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 14: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after flying out during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on September 14, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

1) The Guardians wouldn’t be World Series contenders if they traded for Shohei Ohtani

Much of the same said about the Minnesota Twins applies to their biggest threat in the American League Central, the Cleveland Guardians. Their offensive firepower isn’t much, if at all, better. They’ve also gotten by this season with good pitching. It hasn’t been as amazing as it has been in the past with ace Shane Bieber having a very so-so season.

Add Ohtani to this roster and things change. The Guardians can become a favorite to win the division. They surpass the Twins offensively for sure. Their starting rotation might even become better.

Winning the division is different from being a World Series contender. Someone has to win the AL Central. This year, it goes to whoever screws up the least.

A starting lineup featuring Ohtani, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and a few of those other Guardians players who can mash would help separate them from the rest of the division. It still doesn’t put them in the same class as some of those other teams in either league hoping to win a championship. The same rules apply with the Guardians as they do with the Twins. Cleveland needs multiple additions, not one mega deal.

Out of these three teams, the Guardians might be closest to a championship-caliber club with Ohtani on their roster. They’d still need a lot more.

Next. 5 monstrous trade packages for Juan Soto. dark

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