Shohei Ohtani likely won't be traded by the Angels at the MLB trade deadline. But if he were, what's the best asset every team could send to Los Angeles?
The odds Shohei Ohtani is dealt prior to late July rely heavily on the Angels performance. LAA ended the first half losing nine of ten games, and sit a game under .500. They are seven games back of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, and five games back of the last AL Wild Card spot. Should they find themselves even further back by the trade deadline, expect teams to call about Ohtani's services.
That got us thinking, though — what can teams even offer for Ohtani in the first place? From the Angels perspective, there is little chance they will receive equal value. Ohtani is a two-way superstar and this generation's Babe Ruth. Still, some prospect capital could help matters.
Best trade asset every AL West team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
We should start with the obvious: if the Angels to trade Ohtani, it won't be within their own division. But, the Astros, Rangers and Mariners are all contending teams. The A's, meanwhile, are in this merely for some laughs.
Oakland Athletics best trade asset: Tyler Soderstrom
Soderstrom is Oakland's top-ranked prospect and, frankly, is just about the only player that would interest the Halos. Soderstrom is the 34th-ranked prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and has a hit grade of 55 and power grade of 60. He can play both catcher and first base, and playing behind the plate would make him all the more valuable.
Seattle Mariners best trade asset: George Kirby
No, the Mariners are not trading Julio Rodriguez for Ohtani, but George Kirby, fresh off his first All-Star appearance, has the stuff and makeup of a future ace. Assuming they acquired Ohtani, Seattle would have Shohei, Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert atop their rotation. That makes a player like Kirby, while an excellent resource with his impressive velocity, expendable.
Houston Astros best trade asset: Cristian Javier
Houston can't offer much by way of minor-league prospects outside of Drew Gilbert, but Javier, who is in the middle of a down season by his standards, could reinvent himself with the Angels. LAA lacks rotational depth, and Javier has the makings of an ace when healthy. He's only 26 years old, and can help the Halos win with a roster centered around Mike Trout and more, rather than Ohtani.
Texas Rangers best trade asset: Evan Carter
The Rangers lead the AL West and could be set up for years to come thanks to a strong farm system, all of which is buoyed by Evan Carter, the No. 7 prospect in all of baseball. A trade for Ohtani would have to include Carter, theoretically of course, and his hit grade of 60. Carter is an outfielder and was the Rangers 2022 minor-league player of the year.
Best trade asset every AL Central team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
No AL Central teams have been mentioned in the mix for Ohtani should he reach free agency. In fact, most of these teams will likely be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline, specifically the Royals, Tigers and White Sox. Still, let's pretend this is a video game. What would it take to trade for Ohtani?
Detroit Tigers best trade asset: Riley Greene
Riley Greene has been injured on several occasions, but when he's healthy he's one of the best young outfielders in all of baseball. In fact, it's unclear if the Tigers would consider parting with Greene, even for Shohei Ohtani, due to the burden of his contract. However, Greene is Detroit's best young asset and hopefully will remain with the team for many years to come.
Kansas City Royals best trade asset: Bobby Witt, Jr.
No, Bobby Witt, Jr. is not available in trade talks with any team. The 23-year-old has a batting average of .257, OBP over .300 and has remained stable at a demanding defensive position. Assuming he can grow into his duties at shortstop, Witt, Jr. will remain a centerpiece of the next Royals playoff team.
Chicago White Sox best trade asset: Colson Montgomery
Chicago has already stated that Luis Robert Jr. and Dylan Cease are part of their Core Four. In any trade for Ohtani — and I should repeat this is not rumored — Montgomery would have to go. He is the top-rated White Sox prospect at No. 21 in all of baseball. Montgomery is a five-tool shortstop who at just 21 years old is closing in on the big leagues. He was a two-sport athlete entering the 2021 draft, but made the right call sticking with baseball. He's hitting .429 in the minor leagues this season.
Cleveland Guardians best trade asset: Gavin Williams
Gavin Williams is the No. 11 prospect in all of baseball and made his big-league debut this season. He's the Guardians best prospect and trade asset were they to go after Ohtani — which they will likely not. Williams is one of several reasons the Guardians feel comfortable shopping around Shane Bieber, or perhaps losing him in free agency. Cleveland develops pitching better than most organizations in the AL, and Williams is just another example of that.
Minnesota Twins best trade asset: Brooks Lee
Brooks Lee is a Double-A shortstop and the No. 19 prospect in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline. Lee is technically blocked from playing shortstop at the big-league level by Carlos Correa, but something tells us the Twins will figure out a way to play them both. Correa, for one, has struggled this season, while Lee has thrived in Double-A, slashing .272/.355/.445. He has a high hit grade of 65.
Best trade asset every AL East team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
Of all the teams in the AL East, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have, at one point, been mentioned as possible Ohtani suitors. It's unclear how realistic either destination is, though, as Ohtani would reportedly rather stay on the west coast.
New York Yankees best trade asset: Anthony Volpe
Volpe has struggled at times this season, but he was top-10 prospect in baseball entering the year and earned the starting not at shortstop on Opening Day. Since his chicken parm dinner with a former teammate, Volpe has looked better at the plate, and brings a veteran presence (despite his age) defensively at a premium position. The Angels would demand he be part of any package.
Boston Red Sox best trade asset: Marcelo Mayer
Boston lucked into Marcelo Mayer in the 2022 MLB Draft, as multiple teams passed on him due to the expected bonus price tag. Now, Mayer has quickly become the No. 4 prospect in all of baseball, and is expected to usurp Trevor Story at shortstop eventually, forcing the former Rockie to second base all over again. If the Red Sox dare trade for Ohtani, they should start with Mayer.
Toronto Blue Jays best trade asset: Ricky Tiedemann
The Blue Jays have a really tough call to make. On the surface, they'd be a great suitor for Ohtani, as they match his competitive timeline and can offer him some seclusion from the outside world. However, they are on the east coast and lack the prospects necessary to acquire him, unless they want to deal Bo Bichette or Cavan Biggio. Tiedemann is a top-35 prospect in baseball and already in Double-A. He's a solid get for an LA team which otherwise would lose Ohtani for nothing.
Baltimore Orioles best trade asset: Jackson Holliday
The Baltimore Orioles system is loaded with talent. Out of those who have yet to make the big leagues, Jackson Holliday is the premiere player. Holliday is only 19 years old and a shortstop. He's a former No. 1 overall selection, and the son of former MLB All-Star Matt Holliday. Jackson is also the best prospect in all of baseball, so he's likely off the table in any trade. But we can dream.
Best trade asset every NL West team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the likely favorites to land Shohei Ohtani should he reach free agency, but what if they were to trade for him beforehand? Several NL West teams, such as the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, loom as threats for Ohtani if he is to reach free agency. Trading for Ohtani now would give any team a leg up, allowing the Japanese star a chance to perform in that market prior to what's sure to be a dramatic winter.
Los Angeles Dodgers best trade asset: Diego Cartaya
Cartaya is the Dodgers top prospect, and likely the best asset they would be willing to part with in exchange for the advantage of acquiring Ohtani ahead of schedule. Cartaya is 22 years old and near-MLB ready. In fact, he's likely to make his debut in 2024. From the Dodgers perspective, they have another catcher, Dalton Rushing, who ranks in the top-50 of MLB prospects per MLB Pipeline, so they don't lose much.
Arizona Diamondbacks best trade asset: Jordan Lawler/Dru Jones
Lawler is the sixth-ranked prospect in all of baseball and plays a premium shortstop position. He is 20 years old and already performing well in Double-A, meaning he could make his debut as soon as late 2024 or early 2025. Jones was a top-5 draft pick last season and is the son of Braves legend Andruw Jones. Like his dad, he has solid power and is a tremendous defensive player. Both player are top-20 prospects in MLB.
San Diego Padres best trade asset: Jackson Merrill
Merrill is a top-10 prospect in all of baseball, and while the Padres have moved Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado and Ha-Seong Kim off of shortstop over the years, Xander Bogaerts remains signed long-term in San Diego. Merrill, were he to make the majors relatively soon, would either move Bogaerts off the position as well, or would have to make that change himself. The Pads are loaded with MLB talent in their infield, so they can afford to move a prospect of his caliber.
San Francisco Giants best trade asset: Kyle Harrison
Kyle Harrison is the Giants best pitching prospect. He's also one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in all of baseball, making him a bit of a unicorn in any organization. Harrison is only 21 years old and playing in Triple-A. He'll earn a promotion to the Bay Area in no time, assuming he's not traded for Ohtani or a player of that caliber.
Colorado Rockies best trade asset: Adael Amador
It's a pipe dream, but can you imagine Ohtani hitting regularly at Coors Field? The two-way sensation may hit the ball out of the stadium, or at least to the third deck on a regular basis. Aaron Judge's home run record could be in jeopardy. Colorado will not acquire Ohtani for many reasons, but if they were to make an offer, it would start with their top shortstop prospect in Amador. He's only 20 years old, but Amador has a bright future ahead of him.
Best trade asset every NL Central team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani wants to play on the west coast — that's common knowledge at this point. However, the midwest does have some charm that Ohtani likely isn't familiar with at this juncture. Any trade for Ohtani would be costly, and the Central doesn't have many contending teams. Nonetheless, let's play devil's advocate.
Cincinnati Reds best trade asset for Shohei Ohtani: Noelvi Marte
No, the Reds would not trade Elly De La Cruz for Ohtani straight up, even I know that. Marte, however, is their second-best prospect in a loaded system, and the 17th-ranked prospect in all of baseball. Marte was acquired from the Seattle Mariners for Luis Castillo, so Cincinnati would essentially be flipping Castillo for the best player in baseball. It won't happen, but it'd be awesome.
Chicago Cubs best trade asset for Shohei Ohtani: Pete Crow-Armstrong
The Cubs love Pete Crow-Armstrong, so there's no guarantee this trade would be made even if Ohtani were interested in Chicago long-term. Nonetheless, Crow-Armstrong is the No. 8 prospect in all of baseball and already in Double-A. His arrival in Chicago could come as early as next season. Crow-Armstrong has a solid bat, but his 80-grade fielding tool is among the best in the minor leagues.
Milwaukee Brewers best trade asset for Shohei Ohtani: Jackson Chourio
In yet another installment of a trade which won't happen, the Brew Crew have one of the top-3 prospects in all of baseball in Jackson Chourio. The 19-year-old outfielder is already in Double-A, and could make his MLB debut by his 21st birthday. The problem with Milwaukee acquiring Ohtani is that there isn't much chance at a long-term extension.
Pittsburgh Pirates best trade asset for Shohei Ohtani: Henry Davis
Davis made his big-league debut last month for the Bucs. The former No. 1 overall pick has seen extended time in right field, but he came up in the system primarily as a catcher. With the Angels, Davis could receive playing time right away and be a key piece to their retooling in hopes of making the postseason in 2024. Of course, Ohtani remaining in Pittsburgh beyond 2023 would depend on Bob Nutting opening his wallet, which is never a wise course of action.
St. Louis Cardinals best trade asset for Shohei Ohtani: Jordan Walker
Jordan Walker made his debut earlier this season in St. Louis, and he's off-limits in most trades. However, Ohtani is not most players. Walker has done a great job at improving his fly-ball rate. While he had an impressive hit streak upon his debut, the advanced stats suggested he was getting on top of the baseball far too often, which isn't sustainable. Sadly for the Angels, he will not be coming to Anaheim.
Best trade asset every NL East team can offer for Shohei Ohtani
As much money as Steve Cohen has, an Ohtani move to the NL East seems the most unlikely of any division besides its AL counterpart. Ohtani reportedly would rather play on the west coast, somewhere quiet, and for a contender. The Mets, Phillies and Braves can't offer that, and the Nationals and Marlins aren't spending that sort of money right now.
Atlanta Braves best trade asset: Max Fried
This one's a little tougher. Atlanta would never consider parting ways with Spencer Strider. Fried will be a free agent after the 2024 season, but he is an ace. Though injured right now, he is exactly the kind of starting pitcher the Angels have been lacking for so long. Fried, along with some top prospect capital, could be enough to entice the Halos.
New York Mets best trade asset: Francisco Alvarez
Prior to graduating from prospect status, Alvarez was the best player in the minor leagues. Either he or Brett Baty would likely have to be the centerpiece of any trade for Ohtani. Alvarez is a catcher who projects either there or at first base. The Mets have prioritized Ohtani since it became clear he'll be a free agent, but it's unclear if they'd be willing to trade for him in the middle of a losing season.
Washington Nationals best trade asset: James Wood
The Nationals competitive window doesn't line up with Ohtani, especially if it's on a short-term basis. So, there's virtually no chance they make a run at his services. However, if they were to make a trade offer for Ohtani, the Angels would demand James Wood in return. Wood is the fifth-ranked prospect in baseball, and projects to be a star at the next level. He's the centerpiece of Washington's rebuild.
Miami Marlins best trade asset: Eury Perez
Strangely enough, the Marlins recently demoted impressive rookie Eury Perez. At just 21 years old, Perez took baseball by storm, going 5-3 with a 2.36 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He's one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball, and among the favorites for NL Rookie of the Year. He would be a home run acquisition for the Angels if they felt forced to trade Ohtani. Unfortunately for them, the Marlins will not be in play for Shohei due to budgetary reasons.
Philadelphia Phillies best trade asset: Andrew Painter
Andrew Painter felt right elbow discomfort just over a week ago. It's unclear whether he will need time off, or perhaps some sort of medical intervention. If so, then that severely decreases his value, even as the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball. Should he need Tommy John surgery, for example, he'd be out for about a year, if not more. On paper the Phillies make a lot of sense for Ohtani if he were willing to talk extension. They're competitive, and Dave Dombrowski loves to go for it all.
