These three MLB contenders could add Shohei Ohtani to their roster and they'd still be short of having a World Series-caliber roster.
How much of a difference can Shohei Ohtani make for one team? The two-way star is once again the subject of trade speculation. He could single-handedly help put a team over the top because of what he does on the mound and at the plate.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of teams who wouldn't be a whole lot better with Ohtani on the roster. There are obvious clubs like the Oakland Athletics who aren't sniffing the World Series even if they added three Ohtanis to the roster right now.
Looking exclusively at possible playoff contenders in the mix right now, it's these three clubs whose dream of landing Ohtani should be dashed for one reason. Even if Ohtani was on their roster, they're not serious World Series contenders.
3) The Marlins wouldn't be World Series contenders if they traded for Shohei Ohtani
Frauds. The Miami Marlins should change their logo to an anchor because they're sinking quickly. Their negative run differential has caught up with them. They're going to fade fast. Not even Ohtani could save them.
The Marlins are a team built on pitching. However, a down year out of last season's NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara has made them a more-balanced ball club if only because the pitching hasn't been so superb.
This year's Marlins club is more of a promising one than an actual World Series contender. The bullpen hasn't been as sharp of late and the decision to demote Eury Perez to limit his innings was a wave of the white flag.
Ohtani to the Marlins was never going to happen anyway. The only teams who should trade for him are those with an interest in retaining him. Ohtani's desire to play for a winner with a rumored preference for the West Coast eliminates the Marlins already.
2) The Twins wouldn't be World Series contenders if they traded for Shohei Ohtani
The Minnesota Twins don't meet Ohtani's desire to have the Pacific Ocean nearby. How does he feel about the Great Lakes? It'd be the closest thing he'd get to the ocean if he landed on the Twins roster. This would be a pretty awesome move for Minnesota. However, if that's all they do, it doesn't make them World Series contenders.
The Twins have a starting rotation up there with anyone else this season. One could argue they don't need to add the starting pitching part of Ohtani.
At the plate, it has been a completely different story for the Twins. They don't hit. Round two of Carlos Correa, which will last much longer than the first, looks like it may have been a mistake. This offensively-challenged ball club has a serious shot to make the postseason on the backs of their starting pitching. The weak AL Central has allowed the Twins to stay relevant despite being so average.
Add Ohtani and not much will change. The Twins would still probably look like the weakest American League playoff club. Minnesota needs a lot more than one spectacular hitter in their lineup even if he is a unicorn that can pitch for them, too.
When it comes to the Twins, quantity of bats may beat out the quality.
1) The Guardians wouldn't be World Series contenders if they traded for Shohei Ohtani
Much of the same said about the Minnesota Twins applies to their biggest threat in the American League Central, the Cleveland Guardians. Their offensive firepower isn't much, if at all, better. They've also gotten by this season with good pitching. It hasn't been as amazing as it has been in the past with ace Shane Bieber having a very so-so season.
Add Ohtani to this roster and things change. The Guardians can become a favorite to win the division. They surpass the Twins offensively for sure. Their starting rotation might even become better.
Winning the division is different from being a World Series contender. Someone has to win the AL Central. This year, it goes to whoever screws up the least.
A starting lineup featuring Ohtani, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, and a few of those other Guardians players who can mash would help separate them from the rest of the division. It still doesn't put them in the same class as some of those other teams in either league hoping to win a championship. The same rules apply with the Guardians as they do with the Twins. Cleveland needs multiple additions, not one mega deal.
Out of these three teams, the Guardians might be closest to a championship-caliber club with Ohtani on their roster. They'd still need a lot more.