With less than two weeks to go until Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani have become the center of attention. The Angels, who have been struggling since the injury of star outfielder Mike Trout, will soon have to decide whether to trade Ohtani, who is becoming a free agent and is likely to leave the franchise in the near future.
The Angels have two options: they can keep Ohtani and try to make a playoff run, hoping that he will be convinced to stay; or they can decide that it’s better to trade him and receive the best package in return. Owner Arte Moreno has reportedly dismissed previous trade talks, not wanting to be known as the owner who traded away the best player in the world.
However, Ohtani’s impending availability is already impacting the league. It influenced team behavior last offseason and will certainly affect how teams approach the trade deadline. Here are three potential consequences of Ohtani’s availability at the deadline.
1. Potential sellers may hesitate to sell
Ohtani has expressed his desire to win a World Series title, which is why many believe he will leave the Angels. However, several teams that are expected to be interested in him are having disappointing seasons. The New York Mets, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres, for example, are currently not in playoff positions. These teams may be reluctant to sell off their top players at the deadline, as it could signal to Ohtani that they are not serious about competing next season and may affect their chances of signing him in the winter.
2. Mike Trout’s future
If Ohtani leaves, the Angels will have to consider whether it’s time to move on from Mike Trout as well. While it is unlikely that the Angels would trade Trout, it does raise interesting questions about his future. Trout is nearing his 32nd birthday, has a large contract, and has been prone to injuries in recent seasons. Additionally, his performance this year has been slightly below his usual standards. Despite these factors, it is unlikely that the Angels will trade Trout, as he remains a highly productive player.
3. Impact on award races
If Ohtani is traded to a National League team, it could potentially impact the MVP races in both leagues. Ohtani is currently the frontrunner for the AL MVP Award, but if he changes leagues, voters have historically been less likely to vote for players who have been traded. This was the case for Mark McGwire in 1997 when he was traded from the Athletics to the Cardinals. On the other hand, CC Sabathia received consideration for awards in the NL after being traded from the AL to the NL in 2008. There is a slim possibility that Ohtani could contend for the NL MVP Award, but it is highly unlikely given the performances of other players in the league this season.
