Shohei Ohtani is leading the AL MVP race in July amid swirling MLB trade rumors regarding his future with the club. While Los Angeles is committed to keeping him for now, meeting the club’s asking price could reportedly change that.
Ohtani, one of the top MLB free agents in 2024, is expected to leave the Angels in the open market this winter. While every effort will be made to retain him, the AL MVP is widely expected to sign elsewhere.
- Shohei Ohtani stats (hitting): .306/.397/.678, 1.075 OPS, 35 home runs, 76 RBI, 96/56 K/BB ratio, 111 hits, 11 stolen bases
Related: MLB trade tracker
While the Angels are still in the MLB playoff picture, Mike Trout’s injury and concerns about the supporting cast around Ohtani have fueled increased speculation that he could be traded. Los Angeles remains opposed to it, but there is reportedly a scenario where it could happen by Aug. 1.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported there’s a belief the Angels will entertain trade offers for Ohtani this summer. Notably, per one MLB executive, the asking price is expected to be similar to what the San Diego Padres paid to acquire Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals last year.
Soto, a perennial MVP candidate, was the most coveted player at the trade deadline last year. Washington packaged him in a deal with first baseman Josh Bell, receiving a prospect haul that included C.J. Abrams, Robert Hassell, James Wood, MacKenzie Gore and Jarlin Susana.
- Shohei Ohtani stats (pitching): 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 139 Ks, .192 batting average allowed in 105.1 innings pitched
Ohtani is easily the most valuable player in baseball, hitting at a level that’s reminiscent of Aaron Judge’s production in 2022 while performing at an All-Star level on the mound. He’s also the most marketable player in MLB, meaning he’ll provide a massive impact both on and off the field if he’s traded.
However, teams historically view any player on an expiring contract as a massive negative against their overall worth. Because Ohtani isn’t under contract next season and will become a free agent, it dramatically lowers his trade value.
As of now, it seems extremely unlikely that any MLB team will be willing to offer a Soto-like trade package to the Angels for Ohtani. Because of it, Los Angeles will either need to lower its asking price or keep Ohtani for the remainder of the season and then lose him in free agency.
