MLB Expert Examines Potential Trades For Rays, Mariners to Land Angels' Shohei Ohtani

Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported Monday morning that the Los Angeles Angels could wind up trading superstar Shohei Ohtani ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

While Bowden wrote that some front-office sources have said the Angels are telling teams they aren't trading Ohtani, others have reportedly said the club is listening to offers. Beyond that, most of the executives Bowden spoke to said they believe the Angels will decide to deal Ohtani soon.

Bowden is far from the first expert to suggest the Angels could actually move on from Ohtani – who is set to become a free agent in November – this summer.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman wrote on July 6 that the Angels "seem to be leaving open the slight possibility" of trading Ohtani before the deadline. ESPN's Buster Olney went on "Get Up" on July 13 and seconded the chances of Ohtani moving while also highlighting the New York Yankees as a potential suitor.

Bowden, meanwhile, listed the Tampa Bay Rays as the No. 1 team that could realistically swing a deal for Ohtani if the Angels elect to trade him. Despite the fact that Ohtani would possibly be a rental wherever he goes – especially a small-market team like the Rays – it would still take a massive package to pry away the dual ace-slugger from Anaheim.

According to Bowden, the Rays may have to center a deal around either third baseman Junior Caminero or third baseman Curtis Mead, in addition to first baseman Kyle Manzardo, second baseman Vidal Bruján and additional pitching prospects. Caminero is Tampa Bay's No. 1 prospect and the No. 14 prospect in baseball, while Mead ranks No. 3 in the system and No. 32 overall.

Manzardo ranks No. 38 in MLB Pipeline's Top 100. Bruján came in at No. 50 before he exhausted his rookie eligibility in 2022.

The Rays might also need to include a major league bat – such as right fielder Josh Lowe – in order to round out the trade.

Bowden had the Los Angeles Dodgers as his second suitor, with top catching prospects Diego Cartaya and Dalton Rushing being two of the possible centerpieces of an Ohtani deal. According to Bowden, the Angels could then also ask for three pitching prospects between Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Michael Grove and Ryan Pepiot, in addition to two out of outfielder Andy Pages, third baseman Michael Busch and outfielder Josue De Paula.

The Seattle Mariners are Bowden's next possible destination for Ohtani, one week after the All-Star Game sparked plenty of rumors about the superstar going to the Pacific Northwest. Bowden reports that Seattle would likely have to include two of their top pitching prospects – Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo or Emerson Hancock – plus centerfielder Jonatan Clase, shortstop Cole Young and outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez.

Bowden ranked the Texas Rangers at No. 4, the Yankees at No. 5, the Atlanta Braves at No. 6, the San Francisco Giants at No. 7, the Baltimore Orioles at No. 8 and the San Diego Padres at No. 9 in the Ohtani sweepstakes.

Ohtani is the heavy favorite to win American League MVP for the second time in two years this season. In addition to hitting .301 with 34 homers, 73 RBI, six triples, 11 stolen bases and a 1.051 OPS, the 29-year-old also boasts a 7-5 record, 3.50 ERA, 1.120 WHIP and 139 strikeouts on the mound.

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