The Angels are telling teams they need to listen to everyone after their team’s sudden collapse from a very strong start that had them in first place in May. That doesn’t mean all-time great Mike Trout has a chance to move, as he has a no-trade clause, is currently dealing with a back problem and is playing on a long-term deal. A trade involving Ohtani might be slightly more likely than Trout, considering longtime Angels owner Arte Moreno loves his biggest stars and seems more involved than most owners. Two executives who called Ohtani expressed doubt that the Angels would pull the trigger on such a mega-deal based on the history of the team and the owner. Shohei Ohtani has 21 home runs, 59 RBI and an .844 OPS this season.Getty Images Shohei Ohtani is also 9-5 with a 2.80 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings this season.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images While the Angels’ most likely selling pieces are starter Noah Syndergaard, closer Raisel Iglesias and relievers Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup, they are tied up when opposing executives report Ohtani. That won’t be easy, as it would involve a massive return (plus ownership approval) in the five days remaining before the Aug. 2 trade deadline. No surprise, the word is that it would take something absolutely spectacular for the Angels to seriously consider dealing Ohtani. The 2021 MVP is back again in this matchup as he puts together some terrific pitching and hitting. The teams currently in pursuit of Nats superstar Juan Soto make the most sense to call Ohtani, as those are the offensive teams most likely to give themselves a chance. The Padres, Rangers, Dodgers, Cardinals and Mariners are among the teams in the mix for Soto, but it’s not known which teams have called up Ohtani, who provides the added benefit of being an incredible prospect and marketing tool. The other upside is that he’s making just $5 million in the second year of a two-year deal and more than paying for himself in marketing opportunities. He’s not free until after 2023 (Soto is free after 2024). Ohtani’s pitching has really improved this year, as he is 9-5 with a 2.80 ERA and 134 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings. He has 21 home runs this year after hitting 46 last year and earning the league’s top hitter award.
