Dodgers Rumors: LA Favored to Land Shohei Ohtani, According to Latest Odds
With each passing day as the MLB trade deadline inches closer, the questions surrounding the future of Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani continue to grow louder. With the Angels’ playoff hopes looking slim at this time, many have started to wonder if the team would consider trading away Ohtani to ensure they get something of value for him rather than potentially allowing him to walk this winter for nothing.
It would be wise for the Angels to at least think about moving Ohtani because the haul of prospects that they’d get back for him could help get their rebuild going. However, the team has signaled so far that they aren’t interested in being the franchise that trades away the modern-day Babe Ruth. Fair or not, the Angels have some tough choices to make over the next few weeks.
With this trade speculation comes the wonder of where he could end up. With the heavy trade package the Angels will get if they do choose to trade Ohtani, only a handful of teams would be able to fit the bill. You also have to factor in the fact that whoever is trading for him would most likely be doing so with the idea of extending him in the offseason.
So, it would need to be a team that has a strong farm system ready to go and the financial capability to pay him at least $500 million this winter, if not more. That shortens the list even more.
Bookies.com released their odds for Ohtani’s next team if he is traded away at the deadline or signs somewhere else in free agency and the Los Angeles Dodgers are at the top. They list LA at +350 to land him.
Angels’ owner Arte Moreno is a prideful man and would likely never send Ohtani down the I-5 freeway to their Southern California rivals, even if that would likely get the Angels the best possible trade package. However, they’re still the favorite to be his next time.
“When it comes to winning, the Dodgers do a lot of it. They also have a budget that can pay Ohtani for more than just a few months, and a farm system that can give the Angels a franchise-altering haul.”
Per Bookies.com
Anything is possible and maybe Moreno lessens the grip while realizing that while it may sting to send Ohtani to LA, he could fast-track his team back to winning. We can dream right?
The Dodgers have one of the best farm systems in baseball and could offer plenty of strong options for the Angels to pick from. LA will likely make a call if Ohtani becomes available but the likelihood of a trade happening between the two parties is slim to none.
The best option for the Dodgers to land Ohtani will be in free agency this winter. They have set themselves up nicely to make a very aggressive run at him and are seen as the favorites right now to sign him outright. Of course, LA would rather get him in the building now but more realistically, Ohtani will be speaking with the Dodgers front office this winter.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
