Shohei Ohtani Trade: Disappointing LA Angels Look to Avoid MLB Prospects

This is an interesting outlook for an Ohtani trade considering his evident talent, especially with him being considered one of the most valuable players in the league. This is because in blockbuster trades teams would be looking for high MLB prospects to set up for the future. Looking at the situation with the Nationals and trade discussions with Juan Soto they are looking for a combination of MLB prospects and major leaguers to build for the future.

Rosenthal later reported that a trade of this caliber would shred its major league roster. So a move for Ohtani may be more likely in the offseason when teams could replace players easier with free agency and the Angels could get better compensation.

Here are four possible trades that could take the major leagues by storm.

Ohtani Trade to the Yankees

Yankees receive: Shohei Ohtani

Angels Receive Anthony Volpe, Jasson Dominguez, Austin Wells, Jordan Montgomery, Clay Holmes, and Gleyber Torres.

The Yankees would have to give up an incredible number of prospects in a trade with the Angels because they do not have a lot of young MLB players. The prospects the Yankees would be giving up includes their number 1, 3, and 4 prospects that are ready to be brought up to the majors within a league.

The likelihood of the Angels being able to make this move is extremely low because of how the Yankees have coveted their farm system over the past few years. Along with not wanting to go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money over the luxury tax threshold.

If they were able to pull off this trade the Angels would have an American League MVP with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton and would be the second starter behind Gerrit Cole which would be formidable.

Ohtani Trade to the LA Dodgers

Dodgers Receive:  Shohei Ohtani

Angels Receive:  Gavin Lux, Dustin May, Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Andy Pages

A trade like this would be more likely because of the talent the Dodgers have to offer. The minor league players of Miller, Pepoit, and Pages in this trade would be ready to come to the majors in 2022, or the beginning of 2023. Dustin May and Gavin Lux are known starters in the league and would be ready to start with the Angels right away.

Miller and May could be the number one and two starters that the Angels have been looking for so long. Adding Pages and Lux would be good supplement pieces surrounding Mike Trout to give him a chance to get back in the playoffs.

For the Dodgers, this would just add an MVP to an already talented Dodgers lineup. Imagine putting Ohtani’s bat in the fifth spot with Will Smith ahead of him and Max Muncy behind him. That lineup would cause havoc to teams across the league.

Ohtani trade to the Pacific Northwest

Mariners receive: Shohei Ohtani

Angels receive: Noelvi Marte, Kyle Lewis, Emerson Hancock, Levi Stoudt, Zach DeLoach , Starlin Aguilar

This would be an interesting trade for sides because the Mariners were one of the destinations that Ohtani wanted to go to. These six players are at the top of the Mariner"s farm system, but they are not in the MLB yet but all of them are expected to make the MLB within the year.

The Angels getting these pieces would revamp a lot of the lineup around Mike Trout. Lewis is a good piece to but next to Trout in the outfield. And getting Marte as the Mariner"s top prospect can be the Angels starting shortstop for years to come. They would also get the Mariners two top pitching prospects in their system.

Ohtani slides in perfectly with rising star Julio Rodriguez and a solid cast of players including JP Crawford, Jesse Winker, and Ty France. He would help the pitching staff by sliding into the top spot in the starting rotation. This could scare some people because the Mariner"s pitching staff could be seen as shaky. However, Ohtani would solidify the starters with the Mariners having the ability to add relief pitching.

Ohtani trade to the Cardinals Makes them World Series Favorites

Cardinals Receive: Shohei Ohtani

Angels Receive: Dylan Carlson, Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Matthew Liberatore, Gordon Graceffo

This trade would be a bit of a wild card because Ohtani was not interested in going to St. Louis when coming here from Japan. However, they are contenders now without him and would make them an even higher world series favorite.

The Angels would be getting two starting MLB players that will make a direct impact on this team. The players from the farm system will set up the Angels for years to come. By getting someone like Jordan Walker they could investigate getting rid of Anthony Rendon.  It would be a difficult task because of his contract but some teams may take a risk for the potential of a bat of his caliber.

Now the Cardinals would slide Ohtani between Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. This would give the Cardinals a lefty power bat in the lineup. With veteran experience from people like Pujols and Wainwright, it would give Ohtani a great chance to win a World Series.

Now a lot of these trades could be nowhere close to what the Angels want back because they want even more assets back. But there is also the possibility that the price is too steep, and he may just become a free agent. Some other teams that would be able to make a trade for Ohtani would be the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Guardians.

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