Shohei Ohtani's trade fate rests in Arte Moreno's hands
Most contending teams have checked in with the Angels by now, just in case.
But with the Angels still on the cusp of the race after their beatdown of the free-falling Yankees even without their former franchise player Mike Trout, for now teams interested in two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani are mainly dropping subtle hints to avoid offending.
The interest eventually will be crazy, of course, and the price enormous (more on that below) — if the Angels surprise folks and trade the great one.
Though many around baseball believe the Angels should logically trade Ohtani, it won’t be easy to surrender the greatest player we’ve ever seen, maybe anyone’s ever seen.
He’s also inarguably the greatest potential rental — a certain MVP (yes, that race is over even if he’s traded to the NL), potential AL home run record breaker and marketing mega-star.
The Yankees, also only on the edge of the race, touched base before they were swept in The OC.
The Mets, a bit further out, haven’t had that Ohtani rental conversation and probably won’t, as they’re probably too far out to be in the ultra-expensive rental market.
Everyone agrees it’s “Arte’s show” — meaning Angels owner Arte Moreno.
And it’s not as easy as some claim.
Though Moreno would not become the next Harry Frazee if were to trade Ohtani — as Red Sox owner Frazee sold Babe Ruth for a measly 100 grand when Ruth was 24 years old and would have been beholden to the Red Sox indefinitely — there’s a definite downside.
Whether Shohei Ohtani is traded will likely come down to Angels owner Arte Moreno. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
If the Angels trade Ohtani: Their chances to make the playoffs go from 14.4 percent (via Fangraphs) to basically zero; 2) Their chances to re-sign him — though not high due to their difficulty making the playoffs, don’t forget Moreno has signed as many stars as anyone (Trout twice, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Josh Hamilton, Justin Upton), plus the park fits, and word is he loved throwing to young catcher Logan O’Hoppe, now out — also go close to zero.
With the hope to keep Ohtani long term still alive (if on life support), multiple baseball people suggest they still believe it’s more likely Moreno declines to deal him.
Moreno a year ago emphatically rejected overtures when his baseball people brought him trade ideas. (The Yankees, who had the best record in baseball at this time last year, may have had the inside track, as they have an excellent relationship with Moreno and had several pieces that intrigued the Angels.)
Moreno has previously rejected Ohtani trade overtures. AP
However, it has to be tempting.
Multiple baseball executives suggest the Angels could get more for Ohtani than the Nationals got for the combo of Max Scherzer and Trea Turner (who had an extra year to go), and maybe even close to as much as the Nats got for Juan Soto, who had 2 ¹/₂ years to go.
That’s even though sources say Ohtani won’t be signing an extension now, not with 90 days to go before the greatest free agency ever — quite possibly baseball’s version of LeBron James.
The Angels would love to consider smaller-market contenders with outstanding prospects — such as the Orioles, Reds and Diamondbacks.
But teams seeming to have a better chance to sign Ohtani long term — and pay what’s expected to be $500 million plus — might have extra motivation to give up that extra prospect or two.
The rival Dodgers, seen as a long-range favorite, aren’t completely eliminated as a trade candidate, sources claim.
Shohei Ohtani could break Aaron Judge’s American League record.
Ohtani has revealed nothing about his long-term aspirations beyond his obvious overriding interest in winning.
That five of seven finalists six years ago were on the West Coast may be a sign (he recently revealed he spent two winters in Seattle; “he must like rain,” joked one exec) but his trainer resided there, and in more guesswork, some believe he loves the beach.
Ohtani is said to have told the Yankees that though he loves the pinstripes, he couldn’t see himself in a big city.
Of course, that was six years ago, so that may not even qualify as a clue.
Source: New York Post
