Will the Los Angeles Angels send Shohei Ohtani to a new team by the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline? Here's every update and rumor regarding this potential move.
The 2023 season was an important one for the Los Angeles Angels. That's because this was the final year that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani would be under contract with the team. If he were to hit free agency, the likelihood that he would sign elsewhere would be high. Given that the Angels have struggled to make it to the postseason, Ohtani getting dealt at the deadline was a huge talking point heading into the season.
However, the Angels are doing much better than most anticipated. As of the morning of July 26, the Angels are 52-49 on the year. They are only 6.5 games back of first place in the AL West, and just 3.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final Wild Card spot.
Even with a postseason berth in reach, would the Angels risk allowing Ohtani to leave in free agency? Or would they still try to trade Ohtani to get as big of a return as possible to set them up for the future?
Well, here's every update and trade rumor surrounding Ohtani that you should be aware of ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
7/24: Orioles, Diamondbacks reportedly inquired about acquiring Shohei Ohtani
Earlier, the Baltimore Orioles were listed as a potential trade partner with the Angels to pull off an Ohtani trade. Well, fans are probably wondering which teams have given the team a call about the star pitcher and slugger.
Morosi reports that the Orioles and the Arizona Diamondbacks were the teams to inquire with the Angels about Ohtani's availability.
As mentioned earlier, the Orioles have plenty of young talent that could entice a team like the Angels to trade away their star player and an impending free agent. As for the Diamondbacks, they are having a solid season, as they are in the running for a postseason spot. If they want to get past the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, acquiring an Ohtani for the second half of the season would sure help them out.
7/22: Shohei Ohtani uncertain if he will remain with Angels for rest of season
As for Ohtani, he has no clue what the Angels are going to do at the trade deadline.
While speaking with reporters, Ohtani said that he has been given no assurances that he won't get traded by the deadline. Specifically, he said of general manager Perry Minasian, "I've never really had any talks like that. I see Perry maybe once a week in the clubhouse, and we never really had any conversations."
An interesting thing to consider as the trade deadline draws closer — even Ohtani doesn't know if he will be dealt or remain with the Angels.
7/20: Dodgers not ruled out as trade candidate for Shohei Ohtani
Whenever a big-name player becomes available, you can never rule out the Los Angeles Dodgers from acquiring them. But, they could hypothetically wait until after the season to go full steam ahead in a free-agency pursuit.
However, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman wrote in a column for the New York Post that the Dodgers "aren't completely eliminated" as a trade candidate.
7/19: FanSided MLB insider calls Shohei Ohtani trade 'slim at best'
On July 19, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray wrote in an article that the chances of Ohtani getting traded are "slim at best," as he notes that people in and around baseball "cannot envision a scenario in which Arte Moreno is the owner responsible for trading arguably the best player in baseball history."
Additionally, Murray writes that it's unsure what direction the Angels will go at the deadline, considering they were 48-48 at the time of writing.
7/17: Orioles a potential team to acquire Shohei Ohtani
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi made an appearance on "MLB Central," and discussed teams that could potentially be a landing spot for Ohtani. The one team that he listed the Baltimore Orioles as a team that has "a lot of appeal as a trade partner." The reasoning is because of the amount of young talent they have in their organization.
However, Morosi said at the time that it would depend on Ohtani's health, as he was dealing with a blister on his pitching hand at the time.
7/14: Angels warming up to the idea of trading Shohei Ohtani
Back on July 14, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported that the Angels will "consider incoming trade inquiries" for Ohtani and that the team would not rule out a potential deal at the deadline. However, Morosi stressed that it would all be dependent on the team's showing in their home stand against the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates. But, Morosi said that those in the league view the Angels trading Ohtani as "highly unlikely."
What would the Angels be asking for? Well, Morosi says the team would be looking for "multiple top 100-type prospects."
As for the aforementioned home stand, the Angels went 6-3.
7/13: Yankees listed as 'most motivated' to get Shohei Ohtani
Once the trade deadline got closer, the buzz surrounding Ohtani began. That led to speculation about which teams would make a run at the AL MVP favorite.
During an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up," senior writer Buster Olney listed the New York Yankees as the "most motivated" to acquire Ohtani if he were to become available.
Olney also listed the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers as teams to keep an eye on.
This came as the Yankees were in the midst of their struggles with Aaron Judge sidelined. As of this writing (July 26), the Yankees are in last place in the AL East, but in the running for a Wild Card spot. Not to mention that The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Yankees were trying to get under the luxury tax threshold at the deadline.