Angels' Shohei Ohtani Linked To Cardinals As Top Destination For Potential Trade
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The St. Louis Cardinals are trending in the right direction after a tumultuous start to the 2023 season and appear to be in the mix for postseason contention.
After getting exposed early, it would make sense for the Cardinals to be more active than usual at the trade deadline, putting all possibilities into play.
The most coveted player at the trade deadline will be Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani -- assuming the Halos continues to play middling baseball in a loaded American League.
If Ohtani is on the trade market, the Cardinals would be toward the front of betting odds to acquire his services given their resources both financially and in the farm system. One pundit believes St. Louis is the top landing spot for Ohtani this summer.
They need pitching help, and they need it badly," TWSN's Gavin Patrick wrote Tuesday. "Ohtani couldn’t fix the entire rotation, but he’d be one heck of a start. The Cardinals aren’t afraid to take big swings (no pun intended) in the trade market. Just two years ago, St. Louis swung a blockbuster trade for star third baseman Nolan Arenado. It’s safe to say that the Cards don’t regret that trade."
Ohtani would provide a boost that no other individual player brings to the table. He'd be the Cardinals' unequivocal ace along with a power bat to combine with St Louis' already impressive list of sluggers.
On top of his impact this season, the Cardinals could enter 2024 with a core of Paul Goldschmidt, Arenado and Ohtani. That trio of superstars paired with the young talent already set to be on the roster would rival any other team in Major League Baseball. They need to add some quality starting pitching either at the upcoming trade deadline or this winter but as Patrick said, Ohtani would be one heck of a start.
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