On Saturday morning, MLB reporter Jon Morosi took to the air on MLB Network to break that the Los Angeles Angels are in “listening mode” on trade offers concerning superstar Shohei Ohtani. With close to two weeks until the August 1st trade deadline, Morosi diagnosed the probability of a trade as “unlikely, but possible”, due to a litany of factors for both scenarios.
The Angels are now in a listening mode with Shohei Ohtani trade inquiries, sources say, as I reported in this @MLBNetwork segment. Suitors must be prepared to offer multiple top-100 type prospects to begin the conversation. @MLBPipeline @MLB pic.twitter.com/WEea8ReOlt
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 15, 2023
Three Teams That Can Pull Off a Shohei Ohtani Trade
Unlikely
Earlier in July, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal announced Angels owner Arte Moreno is unwilling to authorize a Shohei Ohtani trade. Rosenthal described that Moreno fears being the man responsible for allowing a player of Ohtani’s caliber to be willingly dealt. However, the Angels are not the only concerned party. Trade candidates are aware of the two-way star’s contract status. Mortgaging a prospect pool to acquire a rental that will indubitably sign a contract upwards of $500M in the winter is a daunting risk. A risk that will likely not create the sufficient return that the Angels may demand for Ohtani.
Possible
The Angels appear to be petering out of the playoff race, losing seven of their last ten games. Long-term injuries to numerous starting position players, including Mike Trout, have ravaged most postseason hope. The free agent bidding war for Ohtani’s services will be record-setting. If he is lost, the Angels will only recuperate a singular draft pick. While trading the sports world’s greatest athlete is detrimental to reputation, the organization has no choice but to entertain what an Ohtani trade can fetch to bolster their 28th-ranked farm system.
And how entertaining it must be. As Morosi mentioned, there is no equal comparison to Shohei Ohtani’s value, even with an expiring contract. The San Diego Padres trade for Juan Soto last season for a package including four prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 is the only one that comes close. Although Soto and Ohtani’s status of team control differs, the asking price will be just as significant, if not more. Multiple playoff-hunting suitors are already in the mix if the Angels elect to move him.
New York Yankees
The “Evil Empire” of Major League Baseball is no stranger to star-chasing. And the rumors surrounding Ohtani’s market tell the same tale, as ESPN’s Buster Olney named the Yankees “the most motivated” to land the superstar in baseball’s biggest market last week. Even without a strong farm system, there is enough talent in the organization to engage in discussions.
Yankees Receive: DH/RHP Ohtani
Angels Receive: SS/3B Oswaldo Peraza, OF Jasson Dominguez, RHP Drew Thorpe, RHP Yoendrys Gomez
Los Angeles gets back a chance to develop the blocked Peraza, the prize of 2019’s International FA class in Dominguez (MLB Pipeline #41 ranked), along with two young arms having career seasons in the minor leagues, sitting within the Yankees’ top 10 prospect list.
Tampa Bay Rays
The American League’s best record will look into adding the game’s best player to a roster already flooded with talent. Marc Topkin from the Tampa Bay Times revealed that the Rays will be “making a call” to check on Ohtani’s status. Tampa’s MO as a small-market team is to develop and build a team from within, rarely splurging for marquee acquisitions, which makes a potential Rays trade fascinating. Plus, their consistently potent pool of young MLB players and prospects offers needs for the Angels.
Rays Receive: DH/RHP Ohtani
Angels Receive: 2B Curtis Mead, 1B Kyle Manzardo, INF Osleivis Basabe, RHP Shane Baz
Mead (Rays #3) and Manzardo (Rays #4) can provide a bright future for the Angels at positions where neither has seen much consistent production. 22-year-old Osleivies Basabe has produced valiantly at every level of minor-league play. Shane Baz will get an opportunity to reclaim his former top prospect status on a club with perennial rotation problems.
Baltimore Orioles
A darker horse in the race for Ohtani is the young upstart Orioles. Multiple years of basement-dwelling allowed the O’s to amass a juggernaut of a farm system, currently boasting eight prospects in the top 100. Their name won’t ring out with other trade contenders like the Rangers or Phillies, but the package that can be put forward will submerge other offerings significantly.
Orioles Receive: DH/RHP Ohtani
Angels Receive: OF Heston Kjerstad, 2B/OF Connor Norby, 3B Coby Mayo
Heston Kjerstad (#36 ranked) is the kicker, a 6’3 lefty bat and 2nd overall draftee in 2020, with a 143 WRC+ in Triple-A this year. Utility man Connor Norby (#66 ranked) provides defensive versatility and excels at hitting the fastball. Coby Mayo has tools at the hot corner, scoring 60-grade power and 70-grade arm strength. Despite the talent included, Baltimore can still hang on to their top three in this situation.
The Verdict
Out of the three mock proposals, the Los Angeles Angels will benefit the most from accepting the Rays’ offer. Eduardo Escobar and Gio Urshela will not be under contract next year. Anthony Rendon has yet to play 60 games in a season since signing a seven-year, $257 million contract in 2020. Jared Walsh has regressed and has recently been optioned to solve his struggles in Triple-A. The Tampa Bay proposal can land them controllable top 40 prospects in Mead and Manzardo to join rookie standout Zach Neto as part of a new young infield core.
Shane Baz is not to be overlooked here. He was a force in Triple-A prior to his 2021 MLB debut, with a 2.06 ERA in 78 2/3 IP. A lingering elbow injury hampered his ascent before undergoing Tommy John surgery in late 2022 after six games. Time will tell in 2024 if Baz can return to form.
Main photo credits:
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Juan Soto, Oswaldo Peraza, Jasson Dominguez, Drew Thorpe, Yoendrys Gomez, Curtis Mead, Kyle Manzardo, Osleivis Basabe, Shane Baz, Heston Kjerstad, Connor Norby, Coby Mayo, Eduardo Escobar, Gio Urshela, Anthony Rendon, Jared Walsh, Zach Neto
