Angels News: New MLB Trade Deadline Gives Bidders Less Time to get Shohei Ohtani

A new date has been set by the commissioner's office.

Don't look now but the Los Angeles Angels are sitting at the top of the AL West standings and have gotten to a nice start in their 2023 season. Fans have been down this road before last season only to witness a complete a 180 so nobody is planning a parade just yet. 

However, this is a great sign so far that Shohei Ohtani will stay with the franchise for at least this full season. It's important to remember that Arte Moreno, despite him not always being the most reliable narrator, confirmed that he will not make his superstar available for trade if the Halos are fighting for a playoff spot.

Nothing can stop Ohtani from leaving in free agency but it's up to the Angels if he gets moved for a bunch of assets. For the sake of scenario, let's say he does become available. The MLB just announced that opposing franchises will actually have one less day this season to make a move for the 28-year-old due to a new trade deadline date.

The news was first announced by the MLB's Jim Bowden.

This year's #MLB Trade Deadline has been set at 8/1/23 by the Commissioner's Office. #Confirmed

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) April 6, 2023

"This year's MLB trade deadline has been set at 8/1/23 by the Commissioner's Office. #Confirmed"

(Via Jim Bowden)

In 2022, the deadline was on August 2 instead of August 1 and in previous years years, it was known to be on July 31. It's consistently been bouncing around those dates.

However, this is because a new CBA agreement allows the commissioner to pick any day between July 28 and August 3 to cut off trades within the league.

It's not going to make a huge difference considering that it is only one day but with everything that GM's have going on when mega-trades heat up at that time of the season, they should definitely keep this date circled on their calendar.

Outside of just other teams trying to put together a package for Ohtani, the Angels themselves could also look to strengthen their roster to not only make the playoff but contend for a title.

Seconds later Shohei Ohtani joined Trout for BACK-TO-BACK blasts! 💥

First of the year for both! pic.twitter.com/GbzdgS34Ad

— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2023

As long as Mike Trout stays healthy, he has the running mate he needs and the rest of the squad would just need to be polished.