MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani buzz, Braves plans changing, Red Sox stealing Yankees target
MLB Rumors: Odds of Shohei Ohtani trade, latest decision update
You can’t have a discussion about the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline without bringing up Shohei Ohtani. With expectations around baseball outside of Angels owner Arte Moreno that the two-way MVP is going to depart in free agency this season, the buzz has been that it would help the Angels long term to trade him. But the big question has been if they will actually do that.
We got something of an update on that from from an insider on Thursday morning.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Thursday that the Angels are not in a rush to make a decision about an Ohtani trade. Instead, they will see how the next two weeks out and, if the club is going to move forward with the blockbuster of all blockbusters, then it would likely happen around 24-48 hours before the Aug. 1 deadline.
Sources: The Angels are not close to a decision on whether to trade Shohei Ohtani. They’re likely to wait until the final 24-48 hours before the Aug. 1 deadline. Teams continue to contact the Angels and express interest in Ohtani, because why wouldn’t they? @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2023
Meanwhile, Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson made lines for Shohei Ohtani’s next team and, according to his numbers, that 24-48 hours before the trade deadline is likely to see the superstar move teams as the Angels have just the sixth-best odds to be the team he plays for after the trade deadline.
Not shockingly, the Los Angeles Dodgers are installed as the favorites, but the Yankees, Rays, Rangers and Mariners all also have better odds than the Halos to be the team Ohtani plays for after the Aug. 1 deadline.
Ultimately, what the Angels do over the next few weeks on the field will determine the fate of Ohtani as teams continue to call. Though Mike Trout being on the IL won’t help matters, the fact that the Halos are coming off of a sweep of the Yankees has to be a postitive sign for anyone hoping that the Japanese phenom remains in LA… just not with that other team.