While a Shohei Ohtani trade feels very unlikely, it isn't impossible. Here are three potential trade fits in case the Angels do move him.
With the Los Angeles Angels at 46-48, and nine games back in the American League West, there is a strong argument to be made that the team should trade Shohei Ohtani.
If the Angels miss the postseason, which looks increasingly likely, then Ohtani is as good as gone as a free agent. By entertaining offers for him, the Angels could start up a bidding war, and get a sizable haul in return for the superstar two-way player. Of course, it would be less than what they could have received had they moved Ohtani last trade deadline, with it possible — if not likely — that he would have netted the Angels a haul similar to, or in excess, of the package that the Washington Nationals received for Juan Soto.
But there's skepticism that Arte Moreno will entertain the possibility of trading Ohtani, not wanting to be the team owner responsible for trading arguably the most talented player in baseball history.
Let's say that the Angels do explore an Ohtani trade. Here are three potential trade fits and what each team can offer, with Jon Morosi of MLB.com reporting that a team "must be prepared to offer multiple top-100 type prospects to begin the conversation."
MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade fits and packages 3 teams could offer
3. Tampa Bay Rays
In recent days, the Rays have been mentioned as a potential fit for an Ohtani trade, and it makes sense. They possess high-end minor-leaguers — Junior Caminero, Curtis Mead, Kyle Manzardo, among others — as well as young, cheap major-league players (Josh Lowe) that could entice the Angels.
That said, if the Angels do make Ohtani available, that would result in an all-out bidding war between many contending teams. And it would surely dwindle any chance that Ohtani is traded to the Rays.
Expect the Rays to look into Ohtani, however. They have poked around in recent years looking to acquire a big name, most recently Freddie Freeman when he was a free agent. But it's likely that the Rays will come up empty once again.
Grading the fit: 6/10
2. San Francisco Giants
The Giants went big-game hunting in the offseason, going all-out to sign one of Aaron Judge or Carlos Correa. While they agreed to a $350 million deal with Correa, he failed his physical, and the deal was ultimately never completed.
Which is why the Giants are being connected, both in the national and local media, to Ohtani. He would give them the superstar that they have desperately sought. He would be their best player since Barry Bonds and finally give the team the foundational piece to build around.
The Giants also have the young players — Kyle Harrison, Marco Luciano, Joey Bart, Luis Matos, among others — that would entice the Angels. But it's not in Farhan Zaidi's playbook to part with a significant portion of the farm system for a rental player, not even one of Ohtani's caliber.
While the Giants are unlikely to pursue an Ohtani trade, they will surely be one of many teams to pursue him in the offseason. As evidenced by their pursuits of Judge and Correa, they have plenty of money available, and have been mindful to keep the payroll open in future seasons.
Grading the fit: 7/10
1. New York Yankees
The moment that the New York Yankees were mentioned as a frontrunner for a potential Shohei Ohtani trade, my immediate reaction was that it didn't pass the smell test.
If the Yankees are buyers at the deadline, they are going to target catching upgrades and rotation and bullpen help. They will surely place a phone call to the Angels to inquire about Ohtani and see what the asking price for a trade would be. But at 50-44, they have shown little reason to invest significant resources into the 2023 team. Especially for a rental player.
The Yankees, of course, have the resources to facilitate a trade. They could headline a deal with one of Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez and it would be difficult for any team to compete with that.
But general manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees are not in position to do that — and considering their current payroll situation, may not even be in a spot to significantly pursue Ohtani as a free agent. It feels strange saying that about the big-market Yankees.
But it's their current reality, and why an Ohtani-to-Yankees scenario feels like a pipe dream at best.
Grading the fit: 2.5/10
