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Shohei Ohtani Power rankings: Where Mets, Dodgers, Angels stand after trade deadline

By Robert Murray

Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers star Mookie Betts (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers star Mookie Betts (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) /
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 3: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after throwing to second base to throw out Cade Marlowe #18 of the Seattle Mariners on a steal attempt during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 3, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 3: Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after throwing to second base to throw out Cade Marlowe #18 of the Seattle Mariners on a steal attempt during the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 3, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

The Major League Baseball trade deadline had a direct impact on Shohei Ohtani’s historic free agency. Here’s the details.

After the Los Angeles Angels decided not to trade Shohei Ohtani at the August 1 deadline, it had a direct impact on the 2023 season — and also his free agency.

Had the Angels traded Ohtani, there was an extremely slim possibility that he would have re-signed in Anaheim. But the Angels were aggressive in upgrading the roster, adding Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Mike Moustakas, C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk, Eduardo Escobar and Dominic Leone — and put themselves firmly in the postseason hunt.

Did Angels odds of signing Shohei Ohtani improve?

This is exactly what Ohtani wants. He wants to win. He wants to be in the postseason. And if the Angels do make the playoffs, the odds of him returning increase.

Not trading Ohtani was a gamble by general manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno. If he leaves, all they will get back in return is a draft pick. Had they traded him, they would have gotten a haul of prospects.

But the Angels want to retain Ohtani, and their trade deadline improved the chances of him staying in Anaheim.

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