MLB insider reveals why Shohei Ohtani trade is unlikely even if it’s right move

The Los Angeles Angels are rumored to be sifting through potential Shohei Ohtani trade offers, but MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reveals why it’s still unlikely.

The Shohei Ohtani trade rumors are likely to continue right up until the August 1st deadline passes. But according to MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, a trade for Ohtani seems very unlikely.

Ohtani is slated to become a free agent this winter and all signs point to the superstar shunning the Los Angeles Angels in search of team that will actually give him a chance to make a run a World Championship.

So why in the world aren’t the Halos making a bigger effort to actually shop Ohtani at this year’s trade deadline? The San Diego Padres gave up a king’s ransom in order to trade for Juan Soto last summer. One has to assume that Ohtani could fetch something in that same ballpark despite the fact he’ll be a free agent in just a few short months.

MLB insider reveals why Shohei Ohtani trade is unlikely even if it’s right move.

Ken Rosenthal gives baseball fans a glimpse behind the curtain at the thought process behind trading Shohei Ohtani. One of the biggest reasons that LA may avoid dealing Ohtani is the fact that he’s in the midst of an historic season.

Ohtani, if he remains in the American League, will be the unanimous choice as the AL MVP. Rosenthal cites the fact that Ohtani is on pace for 58 homers and could challenge the American League record set by Aaron Judge just last season.

The New York faithful packed Yankee Stadium night in and night out last season as Judge chased down and eventually passed Roger Maris’ AL-record 61 home runs.

Can you imagine the excitement among the Angels’ fanbase if Shohei Ohtani is in the neighborhood of Judge’s now American League record of 62 round trippers? That’s a lot of potential fans passing through the turnstiles.

And the Angels aren’t out of the chase for the postseason. LA sits at 51-49 and just 4.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final Wild Card spot in the American League.

The Los Angeles Angels have three games against the lowly Detroit Tigers followed by a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

How the Halos handle their business over the next week will dictate how Arte Moreno and Angels’ front office likely deal with the potential of dealing Shohei Ohtani at the trade deadline. This time of year, things can turn on a dime. Stay tuned.