Whether the Los Angeles Angels trade Shohei Ohtani or not appears to be coming down to how the team performs ahead of the August 1 MLB trade deadline. Continue to push for a Wild Card spot, and the Angels may decide to hold onto their generational talent.
Yet, the alternative would be losing ground in the Hunt for October, possibly leading to a trade for Ohtani, who’s in the last year of his contract with the Angels. Chances are, whoever deals for the AL MVP frontrunner will not only be in the heart of the playoff race but also be considered one of the top contenders to sign the two-way superstar to a long-term contract when the season is over.
Naturally, the Angels’ cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have been mentioned as one organization that could spare no expense in pursuit of Ohtani. Yet, one former Angels employee suggests the baseball community should look elsewhere for a potential destination for the three-time All-Star.
One former member of the Angels who knew owner Arte Moreno well had this to say about Ohtani being linked to the other team in L.A.:
“There’s no way he trades [Ohtani] to the Dodgers. No chance.”
Unnamed former Los Angeles Angels associate on Shohei Ohtani
Even if that closes the book on the Dodgers’ chances, they shouldn’t feel bad. They’re not the only ones who apparently have no shot at the game’s greatest talent.
Sources close to the situation also indicate other AL West rivals like the Texas Rangers have a very slim chance of landing the best player available at the MLB trade deadline. And that’s if Ohtani actually becomes available.
Even if the Angels may not like it, it’s hard to imagine the front office not considering the best offers that come their way, even if it’s uncomfortable for some.