Angels Superstar Shohei Ohtani Reportedly May Be Traded; Should Cardinals Consider Deal?

It sounds like Ohtani's days in Los Angeles may not extend past this season

The biggest star in baseball may find himself on a new team sooner rather than later. 

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to enter unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2023 campaign and is sure to set a new record for the largest contract in MLB history. Ohtani not only is one of the best hitters in all of baseball but very well could be in contention for the Cy Young Award at the end of the season. 

Rumors have swirled around about Ohtani's future since last season and they have shown no signs of slowing down. The Angels have been up and down to open the 2023 campaign and are 9-9 through the first 18 games. If Los Angeles isn't able to compete for a postseason spot this campaign, it sounds like there's a real possibility that the Angels deal the superstar ahead of the trade deadline, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. 

"There's one number that we need to be looking at when it comes to Shohei Ohtani's future, and that is the Los Angeles Angels' record," Passan said Thursday morning on ESPN's "Get Up." "Because as long as the Angels are in contention, as long as the Angels have hope for a playoff spot, Shohei Ohtani's probably not going to be traded at the deadline this year. But if the Angels fall out of contention, and if it's just more of the same as it's been over the last five years that he's been there, he could be traded, and he will definitely leave."

If Ohtani is dealt, the St. Louis Cardinals should be first in line. St. Louis is loaded with talent -- including 2022 National League Most Valuable Player Paul Goldschmidt and third baseman Nolan Arenado and has a real shot at making a trip to the World Series. The Cardinals' starting rotation has struggled so far this season so adding Ohtani into the mix would be the perfect fit. 

The 28-year-old has compiled a minuscule 0.86 ERA through a league-leading four starts and has struck out 27 batters in 21 innings pitched. If the Cardinals were to add Ohtani, he would give the club the ace they certainly need right now. Plus, not to mention the fact that Ohtani's bat would add even more firepower to a St. Louis lineup that should be one of the best in the league. 

If Ohtani actually becomes available, seemingly every team in the league will call the Angels. Whichever team is able to pry him away from the Angels -- if any -- immediately has a better shot at winning the World Series. St. Louis has some intriguing pieces in place, maybe Ohtani is the final piece of the puzzle it needs. 

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