The Angels don't plan on trading Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers, per Jon Heyman. With that in mind, they have other, more pressing targets.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to be the frontrunner for Shohei Ohtani's services this offseason. It's much of the reason they declined to make a significant free-agent offer this past offseason, and let Trea Turner walk to the Philadelphia Phillies over the winter. Frankly, Ohtani is the greater asset, and should demand a contract north of $500 million.
With the Angels rapidly losing ground in the AL West and AL Wild Card races with each passing game, they've been willing to listen to offers on their two-way star, who at this point is a rental. Any team which acquires Ohtani is voluntarily signing on to the concept that he's only good for a few months of action. Once the season is over, Ohtani is fair game for any owner willing to meet his demands.
Per Jon Heyman's latest report, Ohtani will not be traded to the crosstown Dodgers.
"Would they trade him to the (Los Angeles) Dodgers? No," MLB Network's Jon Heyman said Monday. "I spoke to somebody with the Dodgers, they realize he's not getting traded to the Dodgers. Even if you think that he can sign long term with the Dodgers, (Angels owner) Arte Moreno is not going to do that."
It seems much of the Angels conflict has to do with Moreno's ego, even if the Dodgers can present a viable offer.
Dodgers rumors: Los Angeles should trade for Lucas Giolito instead of Shohei Ohtani
Lucas Giolito is a southern California native, and a rental pitcher who fits the Dodgers needs. He's been floated to Los Angeles for the last few weeks, and the White Sox are willing to trade him.
Giolito is the most obvious Dodgers trade candidate, and he has a 3.45 ERA to boot. In his final start before the All-Star Break against the St. Louis Cardinals, he threw seven solid innings and gave up just two earned runs. Vincent Parise of SouthSide Showdown suggested a trade package that included three LA prospects, including Chase Petty (RHP), Logan Tanner (C), Jose Torres (2B/SS).
It's clear the White Sox are hitting the reset button, all the while holding onto several members of their perceived core. Giolito is not one of those players.
Dodgers Rumors: Cardinals pitcher Jordan Montgomery is for sale
Jordan Montgomery is another rental player the Dodgers could target. Montgomery has a better ERA than the previously-mentioned Giolito, and is on the final year of his contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Montgomery is no stranger to trade deadline conversations, as he was dealt just last year from the Yankees to St. Louis for outfielder Harrison Bader. Through no fault of his own, Montgomery should be traded again in 2023.
Montgomery has been linked to a number of teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, which are in need of starting pitching help. While Los Angeles may have punted on last offseason, it does not mean they prefer to sit out Ohtani's walk year. They have plenty of talent on this LA roster, and should be in the mix for the NL West crown and in position to make a playoff run. Montgomery would slide right into the middle of the Dodgers rotation, and perhaps even earn a postseason start against some contenders.
Dodgers Rumors: Jack Flaherty is another hometown product on the move
Jack Flaherty went to high school with Giolito at Harvard-Westlake, and is expected to be traded prior to the deadline. His 4.29 ERA might not be much to bat an eye at in most seasons, but the starting pitching market is expect to be thin. Also, Flaherty has pitched well of late. If his last three starts are any indication of the pitcher LA would be acquiring, he's worth the assets:
- 7/1 vs Yankees: 6 innings pitched, no runs allowed
- 7/6 vs Marlins: 6 innings pitched, no runs allowed
- 7/16 vs Nationals: 6 innings pitched, three runs allowed
Flaherty lowered his ERA in all three instances, and is clearly trending in the right direction. The only danger for the Dodgers would be overpaying for a player who is sure to test the free-agent market this winter.
FanSided's Cody Williams outlined an obvious issue with an LA trade, which is that they value the top of their farm system and likely won't part ways with any top prospects:
"When you look at what the Dodgers would potentially offer to upgrade the middle/back of the rotation in a trade for Flaherty, it's hard to be totally enticed. They obviously aren't going to be parting with top, top prospects like Bobby Miller, Diego Cartaya, Michael Busch or even Gavin Stone.
Subsequently, that would likely mean that a player like Ryan Pepiot would end up being the centerpiece of a trade package. And to this point, Pepiot's work in MLB has not been something that should move the needle for the Cardinals. In fact, it would be a trade based on his projection, not what he's seen."
However, if the Cardinals come down on their asking price for Flaherty in the hours leading up to the trade deadline, he's worth acquiring as a mid-rotation starter.
