Dodgers Continue to Have Best Odds to Land Superstar

A few weeks ago, the prospect of trading Shohei Ohtani would have been ridiculous. The Angels were eight games above .500 on June 18, and their chances at a postseason berth looked strong. Ohtani, as the best player in baseball, was a crucial part of their chances to make some noise in the playoffs.

Now, things have changed.

The injury-riddled Angels are 47-48 and are five-and-a-half games out of the third spot in the AL Wild Card. With only two weeks until the trade deadline, the Angels run the risk of missing the postseason while holding on to Ohtani, who is likely to walk away in free agency.

So, all eyes are on Angels owner Arte Moreno as he decides whether to deal away a once-in-a-lifetime talent and thus give up on what seemed the Angels’ best chance to break their 8-season playoff drought.

Currently, the Dodgers are the favorite to land him, whether through a trade this season or a free agency signing in the offseason.

A report surfaced Monday that Moreno was unwilling to deal Ohtani to the Dodgers, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Above anything, Ohtani has expressed that he wants to win. The Dodgers, winners of the 2020 World Series and the NL West nine of the last 10 years, have proven that they will pay for the talent necessary to do so.

If Ohtani walks in free agency, as expected, the Angels will get nothing to fill the massive void left behind. A trade would at least result in a return for the Angels; something is better than nothing.

However, don’t expect to see a trade between the Dodgers and Angels this season.

Let the Ohtani sweepstakes begin.