Yankees, Orioles, Braves, Reds: 5 bold post-All-Star Break predictions

Fifth bold prediction: Los Angeles Angels trade Shohei Ohtani

One of the biggest stories heading into the season was what were the Los Angeles Angels going to do with star Shohei Ohtani? A free agent this upcoming offseason, he’s going to get a big contract somewhere and cash in, but where that remains to be seen. Ideally, the Angels would like to lock him up, but he might cost too much, and other teams would offer him more money.

A couple of weeks ago, the Angels were 41-33 and in second place in the American League West, behind the Texas Rangers. Since mid-June, they have gone 4-17, dropped to fourth place in the division, and slid all the way down to 4.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, needing to climb over four teams to just get the final playoff berth. It’s not going to be easy now that they have lost All-Star center fielder Mike Trout with a wrist fracture that required surgery.

Trout’s absence has already been felt as Los Angeles was swept by the Padres, then lost both games against their crosstown rival Dodgers before the break. Normally the Angels spiral down the standings around Memorial Day. This year, they waited a month longer.

The postseason seems to fading quickly and the Angels need to take advantage of an opportunity in front of them and deal their star pitcher and hitter. The return would be a good one and it’s better than getting nothing for him if he leaves in free agency. Wasting Trout’s prime years are not ideal and getting something in return instead of losing Ohtani for nothing is the way the front office needs to go.

The second half should be fun with the trade deadline around the corner and pennant races heating up. Anything is possible when it comes to the trade deadline and fighting for playoff berths over the final two and a half months.