The New York Yankees are likely the biggest losers in the Shohei Ohtani trade market officially coming to a close because the team reportedly has been “aggressive” since last year to try and land the two-way superstar.
On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Angels made it clear to the rest of MLB that they will not be selling off MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani when they made a blockbuster trade to bring in a pair of arms that included Chicago White Sox ace Lucas Giolito. The move confirmed they were all-in to make the playoffs and buyers heading into the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
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A plethora of contending teams were linked to a potential trade for Ohtani, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles. However, another team connected to a possible swap was the New York Yankees and it has been something they have reportedly been working on for much longer than most teams.
New York Yankees made ‘most aggressive’ Shohei Ohtani trade offer last summer
However, despite their efforts, they were one of several teams that were left stunned by the Angels’ trade yesterday. On Thursday, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino reported that every interested club was told by Los Angeles to be patient until the organization saw the team’s position after their series in Toronto this weekend. At that point, “Ohtani’s availability, or lack thereof, would be more clear on Sunday night or Monday morning.”
Instead, the Angels made a bold move to add more starting pitching instead of reviewing the lay of the playoff land after Sunday’s results. It certainly had to be disappointing news for the New York Yankees because Martino confirmed the team had let their interest in Shohei Ohtani be known, and that has been a common stance since last summer when they reportedly made “the most aggressive trade offer for Ohtani.”
Beyond adding a game-changing superstar talent, the Yankees’ strong desire to trade for the Japanese pitcher instead of waiting until he hits free agency this winter may be because they are not confident he will sign in the offseason. In a tweet on Thursday, Martino also claimed both New York baseball teams want Shohei Ohtani but are under the impression he prefers to play on the West Coast.
The New York Yankees may be hoping if they trade could have traded for him they may have been able to showcase why playing in pinstripes is more beneficial than he may believe.