Padres Rumors: MLB Analyst Lays Out 5 for 1 Trade Package for Shohei Ohtani
Over the last few seasons, the San Diego Padres have been very active in going after big-name star players. The ownership and front office seem intent on bringing the city their first-ever World Series title, so they are doing everything in their power to build a talented roster.
San Diego currently has multiple All-Stars on the team already, but they are planning on going after two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this winter as he becomes a free agent.
The Friars could make a move for Ohtani this summer if the Angels decide to trade him, but it seems more likely they will go for him in the offseason. But, just in case the Padres wanted to make a run at getting Ohtani into the organization early, they have the prospects to possibly do so. It would cost them heavily but getting a talent like Ohtani doesn't come around often.
MLB.com put together multiple deals for Ohtani, with the Padres one seeing them give up five prospects in return for the superstar. With Ohtani being a possible rental, San Diego may not be willing to part with some of their top guys, however.
"Padres get: Shohei Ohtani, Angels get: SS Jackson Merrill (Padres No. 1 prospect, No. 9 overall), RHP Dylan Lesko (Padres No. 3 prospect, No. 64 overall), Adam Mazur (Padres No. 6 prospect), RHP Alek Jacob (Padres No. 26 prospect), LHP Ryan Weathers"
For the Angels, this could be a good haul to get back for a potential rental but they may want more. The Padres farm system was depleted last season when they traded for star Juan Soto, so they would likely be better off holding out for the winter.
“And, no, the farm isn’t as deep as it once was. The Padres would have to seriously weigh the cost of further depleting that group (though catcher Ethan Salas, the top-rated international prospect in the latest class, appears to be untouchable). It might not be a tenable strategy to trade for Ohtani when they could merely pursue him in free agency”
But one thing is for certain, we can’t count out the Friars at the deadline. They like shiny objects and could become players for Ohtani if they continue to win games.
