The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly heeding offers for baseball’s biggest star: Pitching-hitting sensation Shohei Ohtani has been named in trade talks with the Angels, Jon Morosi reported on MLB Network on Friday.
“As I reported on @mlb Network this morning, sources are telling me that the Angels front office will consider incoming trade requests for Shohei Ohtani,” Morosi added. Wires. “The club is not ruling out a deal with a deadline, even though the bar to move Ohtani is extremely high.
The team’s performance on the upcoming homestand will be a big consideration in the Angels’ final course. At this point, many in the industry still view a transaction as unlikely.”
The Angels had previously stated their intention to keep the former American League MVP beyond this season when his contract expires, but with a free agency looming, LA could now try to negotiate a trade, giving him some compensation secure before his departure.
Recently, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the New York Yankees are “most motivated” to trade for Ohtani, while Jorge Castillo of the LA Times reported that the Dodgers are seen as the favorites to sign him this summer.
The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly listening to trade offers for baseball’s biggest star
Ohtani will earn $30 million this season in his final year under Angels team leadership. He has been at Anaheim for six seasons since choosing the club for his move from Japan in late 2017, but the Angels have yet to make the postseason or even set a winning record during his tenure alongside Mike Trout.
MLB’s trade deadline is August 1. If the Angels don’t move Ohtani, they can only get a compensating draft pick if he signs with another team as a free agent.
Ohtani will be coveted by every team in the majors this winter, and aggressive clubs like the Dodgers, Mets, Giants and Padres are expected to compete with the fairly entrenched Angels for his services if he achieves free agency.
His agent, Naz Balelo, indicated in February that Ohtani will likely go into free agency to determine his future, rather than signing an extension in 2023.
Ohtani had an entire stadium chorus asking him to come to Seattle for free during Tuesday’s All-Star game.
“Never experienced anything like it, but I definitely heard it,” the two-position star said through his interpreter. “But I tried to focus on my at bat.”
Ohtani was the All-Star Game’s biggest star, even though his performance was rather dull. Ohtani struckout and walked in his two at bats as the American League ended its nine-game winning streak with a 3-2 loss to the National League.
But it was what happened when Ohtani was in the batter’s box that stood out.
With the Seattle crowd now aware of Ohtani’s impending off-duty this offseason, the stadium erupted in loud chants of ‘Come to Seattle! Come to Seattle!’
“Every time I come here the fans are passionate, they are really into the game. So it’s very impressive,” Ohtani said. “I actually spent a few off-seasons in Seattle. So I like the city. It is beautiful.’
They were impossible to miss and a bit different from the loud bang he received during pregame introductions only surpassed by the three Seattle representatives.
“I talked to him a bit, but nothing specific about coming to Seattle. I just asked him a few questions,” said Seattle star Julio Rodríguez. ‘But that was cool. That was quite interesting to see how the whole city came together.’
Ohtani’s free agency this offseason was the buzz of the All-Star Game Tuesday night
Ohtani’s free agency this offseason was the buzz of the All-Star Game with some wondering if a deal in the $600 million range could be possible for the two-way star.
“I think a lot of people are lobbying for Shohei, to tell you the truth. And that was a sign of affection and that they wanted him,” AL manager Dusty Baker said.
His future could become a topic sooner rather than later as the Angels continue to fade with Mike Trout sidelined by injury. The Angels entered All-Star break losers of five straight and nine of 10 to fall below .500. The Angels said they do not plan to trade Ohtani before the trade deadline, but that could change in the coming weeks.
“I’m personally not going to change anything, just keep it the same,” Ohtani said. “I know we have a lot of injuries at the moment and we are in a difficult position, but we have to hold on because guys are coming back soon. So try to hold on and get as many wins as possible until all the guys come back.’