Shohei Ohtani trade news: Does Angels’ trade for Gialito, Lopez mean two-way superstar will stay for 2023 season?

Shohei Ohtani is off the trade market. After receiving several trade offers for Ohtani and holding internal discussions over the past two days, the Angels decided late Wednesday afternoon to not only keep Ohtani but also be buyers before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, according to a source familiar with the club’s decision.

The team entered play Wednesday 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot. The last time it reached the postseason was in 2014. Its eight-year playoff drought is tied with Detroit’s as the longest current drought.

General manager Perry Minasian will focus on adding a starting pitcher and a reliever before the deadline. The Angels also expect outfielder Mike Trout to return in mid-August after breaking his hamate bone, which could be one last run with Trout and Ohtani as teammates. Ohtani is a free agent after the season and is expected to have a record contract, which will make it difficult for the Angels to win the bidding war for him.

Trout and Ohtani have been teammates for six years. The Angels are 380-429 in those six seasons and have never finished higher than third place or within 10 games of first place.

The Angels’ decision to keep Ohtani underscores the volatility of the short window before the deadline, when at-risk teams must decide whether to chase a postseason berth.