After expressing a desire to keep superstar Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels organization is now singing a different tune with at least 18 days remaining before the trade deadline.
MLN Network's Jon Morosi revealed that the Angels are now listening to trade offers for the two-way Japanese sensation and recent MLB All-Star's top vote-getter.
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"What I can tell you this morning based on conversations I had with sources, a trade is perhaps still unlikely but possible," he told MLB Central.
"What has changed, I believe, in recent days is the Angels have discussed internally as an organization and realized that where they are at in the standings while the standard to move Shohei is extraordinarily high, they have no choice but listen to inquiries that are coming in."
Morosi added that the trade includes many considerations like the legacy of the 28-year-old, the team's chances of signing him long-term, and the quality of the offers.
The hard part of trading Shotime
The trouble for Angels, though, is that they have nothing to use as a reference when trading someone of his gravity. They might lose him for nothing if they hold out until Shohei is a free agent next season.
Morosi said a consideration might happen if other teams can offer multiple top-100 type prospects.
Team owner Arte Moreno alluded last month to what Morosi just said. Speaking to the New York Post, he said it would be hard to trade someone like Ohtani, who has been breaking MLB records left and right since he debuted in America in 2018.
"I just don't know how you replace a guy like that," he said.
"We want to win, and it's nice to have him in the lineup. For me, it's about the fans."
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