The much-anticipated trade of Shohei Ohtani, the dual-threat sensation from the Los Angeles Angels, before the MLB’s trade deadline on Aug. 1, continues to be a hot topic. With Ohtani poised to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, the likelihood of him donning a new uniform next season appears high. The Angels, currently trailing by six games for a wild-card spot with a 46-48 record, might be inclined to initiate a trade deal involving Ohtani.
However, according to reliable reports, a trade move to the Los Angeles Dodgers seems improbable. Jon Heyman, an MLB insider, stated on the Bleacher Report app, that the likelihood of an Ohtani trade from the Angels stood at around 25%, with a move to the Dodgers being practically off the table. A Dodgers’ source, when approached, concurred with this assessment. The source affirmed that Arte Moreno, Angels’ owner, would not be willing to facilitate such a move, even if it potentially leads to a long-term deal for Ohtani with the Dodgers.
Interestingly, the Angels have indicated that they are open to entertaining offers for Ohtani. To trigger serious trade discussions, teams must be ready to put multiple top-100 prospects on the table, as per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. For instance, the San Francisco Giants possess four top-100 prospects as per MLB Pipeline, namely, Kyle Harrison (No. 11), Marco Luciano (No. 15), Luis Matos (No. 68), and Carson Whisenhunt (No. 95). A minimum of two of these promising talents could be the price for securing Ohtani.
For Giants fans, there is a silver lining. Even if they fail to secure Ohtani via trade, they are still in contention to sign the versatile player in free agency. However, Heyman suggests that there will be stiff competition from various West Coast teams, including the Dodgers and San Diego. The scramble for Ohtani’s signature in the free agency period promises to be intriguing.