Dodgers Rumors: NL West Rival Trying to Trade For Shohei Ohtani This Deadline

We're now less than a week away from the MLB trade deadline, and the Los Angeles Dodgers will be on the lookout for ways to upgrade their roster between now and August 1.

LA's most significant need is the starting rotation, given that Clayton Kershaw is still dealing with shoulder soreness, Julio Urias is looking vulnerable, and rookie hurler Emmet Sheehan is showing cracks after he had an excellent start to his big league career.

Lucas Giolito looks like the most obvious reinforcement there, and the White Sox righty and southern California native has been linked to his hometown team for weeks now. Around the diamond, rumors surrounding shortstop Tim Anderson have started to resurface in recent days ahead of a White Sox selloff that appears more and more likely.

But there's also a wild card in the equation, as the Dodgers could be players for Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani if the Angels opt to trade him. While LA would be able to put together a formidable package if they were to enter into negotiations for him, there are other teams that'll put forward their best hand for the most talented player in baseball.

And one of those franchises will be quite familiar to Dodger fans.

Sources: Orioles, DBacks among teams inquiring with the Angels about Shohei Ohtani’s trade availability.

Both clubs’ interest has been described as due diligence; both teams have the young talent base conducive to making a trade.@MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2023

Arizona's trying to get a feel for Ohtani's availability, per MLB insider Jon Morosi, and while they have impressive prospects, a prospective deal for Ohtani may have too steep of a price tag for them.

While's there's been no DBacks linked to the Angels as of this writing, the most notable name that the Angels may ask for is outfielder Corbin Carroll, who made the NL All-Star team in his rookie season and would not be traded under any circumstance by Arizona.

Between him and for instance former No. 1 pick Druw Jones, (Arizona's No. 2 prospect) and talented RHP Slade Cecconi (Arizona's No. 9 prospect), the Angels will be asking for a lot in order to part with Ohtani.

Although Arizona now figures to be a surprise entrant to the Ohtani chase, it may be difficult for them to actually pull a deal off that would bring the superstar to the desert, while also keeping the young team's future bright.