As the trade deadline approaches and the belief that Shohei Ohtani will re-sign with the Angles becomes more of a pipe dream, the notion that he’ll be traded is gaining serious traction.
Angels ownership previously said there was no way they’d try and trade him at the deadline, but their tune has reportedly changed in recent weeks.
Now the question is, should the Giants try to acquire him for assets, even without a guarantee that he’ll re-sign in the offseason?
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the answer is a no-brainer.
“I would make a trade,” Slusser said on KNBR Friday. “It’s not going to hurt…There’s no downside.”
What about the downside of losing a number of young players? Slusser doesn’t think the damage would necessarily be too bad as far as a price tag is concerned.
“I think at least two top prospects, and then probably two other decent ones,” Slusser said.
Ohtani’s stats this season are simply mind-blowing. He’s the best hitter in baseball, with a league-leading OPS of 1.050, while also leading the majors with 32 home runs. As a starting pitcher he’s been nearly as dominant, with a 3.32 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 17 starts. His six hits allowed per nine innings is the best mark in baseball.
Ohtani is in the top 10 in nearly every pitching and hitting category.
“He’s not just a generational player,” Slusser concluded. “He’s a once in a lifetime player. I’d do it even for two months, guys. But I’m not running the team, I just love Shohei.”
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