Shohei Ohtani’s availability is set to dominate the headlines as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
The feeling is the Angels may trade Ohtani since they know they have virtually no chance to keep him when his contract runs out.
Many assume that the Dodgers are the favorites to land Ohtani. However, ESPN Insider Buster Olney reports that it’s the New York Yankees who will be most aggressive in trading for the two-way superstar.
Buster Olney thinks the Yankees will be the main team trying to trade for Shohei Ohtani this season pic.twitter.com/InU9kivynS
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 13, 2023
Olney highlighted the Yankees motivation to acquire Ohtani, emphasizing the timeline of their key players. With stars like Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, and Giancarlo Stanton now in their 30s and no longer at the beginning of their prime, the Yankees recognize the need to make a strong push for a World Series this year.
Adding Ohtani to their roster would significantly bolster their chances of securing their first championship since 2009.
The potential addition of Ohtani would provide the Yankees with arguably the best one-two punch in both their rotation and lineup.
Gerrit Cole, who started the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, has been a dominant force, while Aaron Judge boasted an impressive 1.078 OPS before succumbing to injury.
Ohtani, an All-Star-caliber pitcher, has the potential to challenge Judge’s AL Home Run record, further enhancing the Yankees offensive, which is in major need of a boost.
Without an impactful addition at the trade deadline, the Yankees might face an uphill battle in their quest for a true World Series run.
Currently placed fourth in the AL East, they trail the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays by eight games. Additionally, they are one game behind the Houston Astros for the third and final AL wild-card spot.
The absence of Judge, with no specific timeline for his return, has dealt a significant blow to the Yankees lineup. Hindered by a toe injury, the reigning AL MVP’s absence has left the team struggling offensively.
Just before the All-Star break, the Yankees fired hitting coach Dillon Lawson in an attempt to address their offensive woes. Former Major Leaguer Sean Casey has been hired as his replacement.
While the Angels have consistently maintained that they have no intention of trading Ohtani, circumstances could change given his impending free agency and the team’s struggles this season.
Los Angeles has suffered nine losses in their last ten games, falling below .500 and potentially creating an environment where they might consider parting ways with the superstar.
In the event of an Ohtani trade, the Yankees would likely have to offer a package including some of their top prospects. Ohtani, widely regarded as the best player in baseball, is on track to secure his second AL MVP award in three years, having finished as the runner-up to Judge in last year’s voting.
Notably, Olney suggests that the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers could also emerge as motivated suitors for Ohtani if he becomes available.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Ohtani’s future, and the impact of his potential move which would reshape the baseball landscape.
Who do you think should trade for Ohtani?
If George Steinbrenner was still alive, you have to imagine the Yankees would be a near-lock to land Ohtani (and he probably would have been a Yankee already).
But does his son Hal, who is much tighter with the checkbook, have the stones to pull the trigger?
Ohtani is going to end up getting north of half a billion dollars no matter what – but if you were him, where would you want to play?