Shohei Ohtani rumors: 4 teams that could trade for him if Angels drop

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ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan is well-known in baseball circles for his ability to drop bombshell rumors about player movement. And his latest scoop on Los Angeles Angels’ two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani more than meets the mark.

Passan reportedly believes Ohtani “could be traded” and “will definitely” leave Anaheim if the Angels fail to qualify for postseason play this season. This isn’t necessarily a groundbreaking development, as rumblings of these sentiments have bubbled up in recent months, but it does reinforce the possibility of a major blockbuster move this summer.

Shohei Ohtani could be traded and 'will definitely' leave the Angels if they fall out of playoff contention this season, per @JeffPassan pic.twitter.com/p8WFzXOwtP
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 20, 2023

An Ohtani mid-season trade, which was once perceived as unlikely during the winter, has now progressed to becoming feasible. And that alone is major news regarding the sport’s most unique talent.

So now that we have this bombshell rumor, it’s time to speculate. Where could the Japanese two-way player end up this summer should he be moved? Let’s discuss.

4 teams that could trade for Shohei Ohtani this summer if the Angels fall out of contention

1. Tampa Bay Rays

There’s only one way for the Rays to acquire premium players like Ohtani: via trade. Quite simply, he’s a player they couldn’t come close to affording as a free agent, so if the opportunity arises this summer, Tampa should be chomping at the bit to make a deal.

Kevin Cash’s squad jumped out of the gates hot in 2023 with a 13-0 start, and still stand with the best record in all of MLB in April. The Rays continue to churn out quality players on a budget, and they’ve got one of the highest run differentials as a team as well.

Tampa should be viewed as a playoff contender this season, something Ohtani desires in his future team, and they have more than enough quality pieces that could entice the Angels.

And for what it’s worth, the Rays have made rental trades for the right player. For example, they traded RHP Joe Ryan to the Twins for a half-season of Nelson Cruz in 2021. There’s no reason why Ohtani wouldn’t be worth the risk, then, either.

Apr 18, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets catcher Tomas Nido (3) looks on as Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder J.D. Martinez (28) is greeted by first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) after hitting a two run home run in the first inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

4 teams that could trade for Shohei Ohtani this summer if the Angels fall out of contention

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

Now I know what you might be thinking: yes, the Dodgers can (and likely will) wait until the winter and just sign Shohei Ohtani as a free agent. They’ve been mentioned as one of the early front-runners for his services.

But Los Angeles isn’t about to punt away a season, either.

Sure, the Dodgers made modest upgrades last off-season, bringing in names like Noah Syndergaard and J.D. Martinez, but they are still expected to be a contender in the NL this year despite getting off to a slow start. The good news? So has their main competition in San Diego.

Andrew Friedman knows an opportunity when he sees one, and if the Padres somehow continue to fly below their expectations, the Dodgers could swoop in and close the gap by getting a head start on a long-term Ohtani pursuit.

Like the Rays, Los Angeles also maintains strong depth in their farm system, which could make them a good trade partner for the Angels despite sharing a market with Anaheim.

The Dodgers are the kind of team that usually finds themselves a piece or two away, and if that piece is Shohei Ohtani, that could push them over the top.

Apr 15, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres infield members wait during a pitching change against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports /

4 teams that could trade for Shohei Ohtani this summer if the Angels fall out of contention

3. San Diego Padres

One thing we’ve learned not to do is count out the San Diego Padres when it comes to the player acquisition front. They’ve been bold and brash over the years and especially recently, trading for stars like Juan Soto and signing others like Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado.

And with A.J. Preller as their GM? You simply can’t rule out the possibility of a Shohei Ohtani trade.

The Padres could also be in the hunt to sign Ohtani as a free agent after the season, but they’ve clearly committed to 2023, so why stop now? Preller learned under former Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who once said he didn’t believe in “half-measures”.

This isn’t to suggest San Diego has taken any “half-measures”, because they definitely haven’t. But being as “all-in” as the Padres are for this season, it feels like they’ll do anything to win, even after doling out hundreds of millions in contract extensions and free agent signings, as well as depleting their farm system.

Simply put, the Padres have earned the right to be mentioned as a suitor for any big name, and particularly if a player of Shohei Ohtani’s caliber becomes available.

Apr 18, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (26) celebrates with teammates after the Blue Jays defeated the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

4 teams that could trade for Shohei Ohtani this summer if the Angels fall out of contention

4. Toronto Blue Jays

Another team with tons of star power, the Toronto Blue Jays are also fully committed to the 2023 season, and would make sense as a landing spot for Shohei Ohtani.

One area where the contending Blue Jays are struggling early in the season is their rotation, with Alek Manoah and Jose Berrios having lost their footing, while Chris Bassitt has generally underwhelmed. Kevin Gausman has largely been decent, but the Jays just haven’t gotten the starting pitching production they expected.

Shohei Ohtani can help address that concern, and then some.

Toronto doesn’t need a lineup upgrade, but Ohtani comes with that skillset, too. Picture the Japanese superstar in a batting order with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman, Alejandro Kirk and Daulton Varsho. Now that’s a formidable squad.

The Blue Jays don’t have the best farm system, but they have demonstrated a propensity to get players they want, and who doesn’t want Shohei Ohtani?

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