MLB Rumors: Cardinals surprise trade, Braves-Ohtani package, Yankees-Royals trade

MLB Rumors: Proposed Braves trade package for Shohei Ohtani

Last week, former GM Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) named the 10 contenders who could and probably should make a play for a Shohei Ohtani trade with the Los Angeles Angels. Of the 10 contenders, he ranked the Atlanta Braves No. 6.

But it’s no secret that the one hindrance to Alex Anthopoulos making big moves at the trade deadline for the Braves is that the orgnaization has one of the lowest-ranked farm systems in baseball in 2023, no doubt a construct of the prospects given up to acquire both Matt Olson and Sean Murphy.

So that begs the question of what the Braves trade package to offer the Angels for Ohtani would actually look like.

Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report offered his thoughts on a possible Braves trade for Ohtani, opining that Atlanta would offer AJ Smith-Shawver, Vaughn Grissom, JR Ritchie, Owen Murphy and Spencer Schwellenbach. For those keeping track at home, that is Atlanta’s Top 3 prospects, Grissom, who would be on that list if not for his accrued time in MLB already, and the No. 6 prospect in Scwellenbach.

Unfortunately, as Rymer even admits, that’s probably not enough to get the Angels to budge. Reports have indicated LA is eyeing multiple Top 100 prospects, which is something the Braves can’t offer at all.

Perhaps offering more young, controllable major-league talent could up the ante, as suggested by Chase Irle of SportsTalkATL. His proposal included Murphy, Grissom, Bryce Elder and Kyle Wright, the latter two being two proven major-league starters. But again, is that enough for Ohtani? Probably not, right?

All told, while adding Ohtani to arguably the best in baseball would be incredible to watch, the Braves simply don’t have the ammo to make it all that feasible — if the Angels even trade the two-way superstar at all.