MLB Insider Says New York Yankees Most Likely to go After Ohtani at Trade Deadline

With two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani set to become a free agent after the season, the question remains whether the Los Angeles Angels are going to trade him at the deadline or not.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, should Ohtani become available via trade, the New York Yankees are most likely to be his biggest suitors.

As Olney told ESPN's morning show "Get Up:"

"Talking with sources yesterday, they see the Yankees as potentially being the most motivated (to go after Ohtani) because Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, they're middle aged players right in the prime of their careers. This is the Yankees' window to win-now.

"You bring in Ohtani and suddenly the Yankees' rotation with him involved looks so strong. Ohtani hitting in Yankee Stadium, which favors left-handed sluggers. That's something I'm sure the Yankees would be willing to pay for if Ohtani is made available by the Angels."

Buster Olney thinks the Yankees will be the main team trying to trade for Shohei Ohtani this season pic.twitter.com/InU9kivynS
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 13, 2023

Like for any team, Ohtani would solve two major holes on the Yankees' roster in the starting rotation and middle of the batting order.

Ohtani would form a three-headed monster in the rotation with Cole and Carlos Rodon, while stabilizing the middle of the lineup by holding down the fort until Judge comes back from his toe injury. When Judge does return, he would slide back into the middle of the order and be protected by Ohtani, Stanton and Anthony Rizzo.

There are a few bumpers regarding a trade for Ohtani. The two-way phenom would cost the farm in a deal, which means the Yankees would likely have to part with rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe, top prospect Jasson Dominguez and a number of other top ranked prospects in their farm system.

In addition to selling the farm for Ohtani, the Yankees would then have to find a way to sign him to a long-term contract ranging between $500-$600 million deal, which is a place no player has ever gone before.

Acquiring Ohtani is certainly a win-now move for the Yankees, but it would be a risky one, especially since It's unknown when Judge will be able to return.

The Yankees could just wait until Judge is healthy, and sign Ohtani in free agency without gutting their farm system. That being said, Olney believes they'll be aggressive for Ohtani if the Angels make him available.