Getty Image / Orlando Ramirez
With the MLB All-Star break behind us, teams in the playoff race will be starting to look at their options to bolster their chances at the postseason before the league’s trade deadline on August 1st.
There should be plenty of teams looking to buy with a number of close races around the league and some surprising teams currently leading their divisions.
As these teams prepare to make their moves, there is one potential prize that stands out well above the rest ahead of the deadline.
Any contender would love to have Shohei Ohtani.
For a while now, there has been speculation about Ohtani potentially trying to leave the Los Angeles Angels because of the team’s lack of results.
Ohtani is currently on the way to his 2nd MVP in the last 3 years and the Angels are still a game under .500.
Despite that, it has been unclear whether or not Ohtani wants to leave and if the Angels would actually entertain offers.
Today we learned the answer to that second question.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Angels will at least listen to trade calls from teams around the league.
Post by @jonmorosiView on Threads
Morosi also said that a deal is still unlikely, but this at least opens the door to Ohtani finishing the season elsewhere.
Whoever those calls end up coming from, their offers will need to be massive.
Ohtani is a one of a kind talent that has been absolutely dominant for the last 3 years and should still have plenty of great years ahead of him.
There have already been some potential suitors revealed. The Dodgers were named the frontrunner to land him as a free agent after the season, so they’d likely try to bring him before the deadline as well.
The Yankees have been reported as a team likely to pursue Ohtani to form baseball’s most unbelievable power hitting duo alongside Aaron Judge.
Mariners fans made it clear they want him to just move across the AL West at the All-Star Game.
If the Los Angeles Angels are listening to call for Shohei Ohtani, those calls are sure to come and include some monster offers. Maybe one of those callers can convince them to give up the MVP frontrunner.