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The Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes are in full swing as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The Angels are reportedly listening to offers despite their position in the wildcard race.
At 52-49, Los Angeles is 3.5 games back for the final playoff spot. They’ll soon have a decision to make with the deadline less than a week away.
Will LA cash in on a deal or will they keep their superstar in hopes of making the postseason?
The asking price for the DH/Pitcher will be a high one. Not only does he lead the majors in home runs, triples, walks, slugging, and total bases, but he’s also a force on the mound.
Through 19 starts, he holds an 8-5 record and 3.71 ERA. That includes a ridiculous 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
With that unbelievable combination of success, he’s easily become the favorite to win the American League MVP award. In fact, he’s overwhelmed the rest of the field, holding -1100 odds at last check.
But while it seems a lock that he’ll hoist the trophy come season’s end, there’s one scenario that could have bettors in absolute shambles.
Should the Angels deal Shohei Ohtani to a National League team before the deadline, those AL MVP tickets could be losers.
If Shohei Ohtani were to be traded to a National League team, bettors holding AL MVP tickets could be out of luck 😬
He is currently -1100 to win AL MVP but all bets will be upheld if he is traded to a team in the NL… pic.twitter.com/7sHQzxDWTp
— br_betting (@br_betting) July 25, 2023
It seems that everyone is interested in a potential trade, with a number of NL teams contacting the Angels. The Diamondbacks were one of the most recent clubs to inquire about the slugger as they continue their surprising season in Arizona.
The National League West rival Dodgers and Giants are also in the race.
Darren Rovell of Action Network wrote on a potential trade to the NL and its implications on the MVP race.
“No player has ever switched leagues in the middle of the season and won an MVP,” Rovell stated. “But Ohtani isn’t like other guys… If Ohtani is traded to an NL team, all wagers on the AL MVP market would stand, according to sportsbook sources.
“Wagers on the NL MVP race would be unaffected, too… If Ohtani is indeed traded to the NL, plenty of those holding -1000 tickets might be burned in the process.”
An interesting scenario for baseball bettors. The trade deadline is set for August 1, so we’ll soon see if Shohei Ohtani remains an Angel. Luckily for those AL MVP tickets, Los Angeles is still close enough to playoff contention to lean towards keeping him.