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MLB trade rumors: Angels are "in listening mode" on Shohei Ohtani

MLB Network's Jon Morosi said the Los Angeles Angels are finally listening to offers for two-way megastar Shohei Ohtani.

Marc Delucchi

MLB trade rumors: Angels are "in listening mode" on Shohei Ohtani
MLB trade rumors: Angels are "in listening mode" on Shohei Ohtani /
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Nothing could shake up the MLB trade deadline more than the Los Angeles Angels trading two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. And, according to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Angels have taken a significant step toward parting with the best player in the league. In an appearance on MLB Network, Morosi revealed "the Angels are now in listening mode with Shohei Ohtani trade inquiries." With the SF Giants considered an early favorite to land Ohtani this offseason, they are immediately one of the top potential landing spots for the native of Oshu, Iwate, Japan.

SF Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb talks to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani in between the innings during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. (2022)
SF Giants SP Alex Cobb talks to Angels DH Shohei Ohtani during a game. (2022) / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

"Based on my conversations with sources, a trade is still perhaps still unlikely but possible," Morosi said. "What has changed I believe in recent days is the Angels have discussed internally as an organization and realized that with where they're at in the standings.. they have no choice but to listen to the inquiries that are coming in... If they get multiple players offered among the top 100 prospects in the game, they have to at least start thinking about it, and that's where they're at right now. Thinking, considering, of course watching the standings, but what I can say right now is a trade of Shohei Ohtani is possible between now and August 1st."

The 2021 American League MVP, Ohtani, has hit .303/.387/.659 with 15 doubles, six triples, and a league-leading 32 home runs at the plate. On the mound, he has a 3.50 ERA with 139 strikeouts and 46 walks in 105.1 innings pitched (18 starts). The Giants' two most obvious needs at the deadline are a frontline starting pitcher and a middle-of-the-order bat, two things Ohtani would immediately address. Of course, he could also be a potential target of San Francisco's biggest rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Interestingly, and I'll mention this team right now, we'll talk about them a lot over the course of the next 18 days before August 1st, not that we're counting, but the Los Angeles Dodgers," Morosi said. "The Dodgers have nine players, nine, among the top 100, according to MLBPipeline.com. That's the most of any team. And we know that according to many projections, the widely expected team that's the favorite to sign Ohtani this winter is the Los Angeles Dodgers. So would they pay a premium right now to be able to get him for the balance of this season and then try to sign him long-term?"

All-Star Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb was teammates with Ohtani during the 2021 season and told a pair of Giants beat writers during the All-Star break that Ohtani was going to land in San Francisco. Hopefully for SF Giants fans, Cobb truly saw the future.

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Marc Delucchi
MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).

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