One major stat could hold the key to preventing a Shohei Ohtani trade

We’re counting down the days before the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline. A date that’s sure to spur action, all anyone wants to know is whether Shohei Ohtani’s getting traded, and if so, to whom.

But not Los Angeles Angels fans. They don’t even want to think about such a trade scenario. Ditto for Angels owner Arte Moreno, who has expressed frustration at even the thought of trading MLB’s best player in the past.

However, there’s real reason to believe that an Ohtani trade might not be coming this summer at all. Previously the biggest concern was for the Angels to once again miss the postseason, for what would be the sixth time in Ohtani’s MLB career. Or, if you’re keeping track, each year of his career with the Angels.

But now the ballclub is heating up, winning six out of their past ten games. It’s led to the Angels not only moving up in the power rankings but also in the Wild Card standings, where they now sit just four games back of the final spot in the postseason.

Amazingly, this is the smallest deficit the Angels have faced at this point in the season since 2017. That was before Ohtani even joined the team. In other words, even though they’re still not atop the AL West, this team is as close, if not closer to competing than they’ve ever been with the MVP frontrunner on the roster.

Ohtani recently opened up about his thoughts on the deadline and whether he wants a trade. Here’s what the Japanese superstar had to say:

“This is my sixth year. My feelings haven’t changed about wanting to go to the playoffs with this team and win once we’re there.”
Shohei Ohtani on his desires ahead of trade deadline

That has to be music to the ears of not only Angels fans, but also their owner, and of course the front office. We may still be a few days away from baseball’s trade deadline, but all signs point to Ohtani starting right where he is. What happens once he becomes a free agent later this offseason? Well, that’s for another day.