Angels News: Writer Thinks Halos Will Trade Shohei Ohtani to New York Mets for 5 Prospects
The New York Mets have been linked to Shohei Ohtani for quite some time now and they have been preparing their payrolls to make space for the superstar once he becomes available in free agency. However, Ohtani is a generational talent and if it is clear that he will bolt in the offseason, it would be much better for the Los Angeles Angels to trade him and make the most of his value than just lose him for nothing.
Luckily for New York, they still poise themselves as suitors when it comes to putting together a package for the 28-year-old pitcher. There is a big tie between Ohtani and the Mets as their general manager, Billy Eppler, used to work for the Angels and was the person that originally recruited the young prodigy from his team in Japan.
It's been no secret that Eppler wants a reunion with the star he first discovered in 2018. Even though any front office that trades for Ohtani at the deadline will run the risk of only keeping him for half a season and then losing him in free agency just like the Angels, the Mets have the funds to retain him and will have time to get him accustomed to their system before persuading him to stay long-term.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter certainly believes that Ohtani will be suiting up for the New York organization before the season is over. In his latest trade predictions piece, he chooses the Mets as his favorite to get a blockbuster deal for the 2-way phenom done in exchange for a slew of young talent.
"Why not get out in front of other suitors by trading for him now and hammering out an extension before free agency arrives?," said Reuter. "The price here is steep, with Brett Baty looking like a potential offensive star, Ronny Mauricio coming off a stellar run in winter ball, Mark Vientos providing power as an MLB-ready bat, and Dominic Hamel and Calvin Ziegler arguably the two best arms in the Mets' system."
Even though some may argue that this is too much to give up for the Angels' looming free agent, they must remember that these prospects are replaceable. Shohei Ohtani is dominating the WBC right now and there is really nobody in the MLB that can match his production at the plate and on the pitching mound.
