Analyst proposes wild blockbuster Shohei Ohtani trade, sending him to Mets
MLB Network analyst Bo Porter proposed a monster blockbuster trade Friday involving two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani being dealt from the Los Angeles Angels to the New York Mets this summer.
The whopper of an idea also sees former All-Star third baseman Anthony Rendon, power-hitting outfielder Hunter Renfroe and one-time All-Star reliever Chris Devenski joining the 2021 AL MVP in Queens. The Mets, meanwhile, would ship off a stunning eight players in the proposal, including veteran two-time All-Star outfielder Starling Marte, 34-year-old one-time All-Star third baseman Eduardo Escobar, third-year starting pitcher Tylor Megill, rookie third baseman and former first-round pick Brett Baty and four prospects, all of whom are top-six prospects in the Mets system.
"I believe that there is a taker out there that can help the Angels reset their organization and actually put them in position to re-sign Ohtani this offseason, because right now they can't re-sign him because of everything they have on the books," Porter said, before revealing his idea.
As Porter points out, the Angels current team payroll is "about" $230 million ($225,269,006 to be exact). Following the likely unrealistic deal, the number would be slashed to "roughly" $105 million going into the offseason, per Porter.
"And now, all the money that you moved, you have a chance to sit down with your guy and bring him back to Anaheim," the analyst said. "But guess what? You have the money now and the resources to bring him back, but your organization is also better."
Though Porter argues that the deal could work, as the Mets are "all in on this season," anything short of a World Series title in Flushing with Ohtani as a rental player would cause a proverbial riot for fans.
Angels brass has continued to deny reports that Ohtani could be on the move this summer, as Los Angeles remains very much in the playoff picture through the first half.
A recent MLB Player Poll conducted by The Athletic showed that other MLBers believe that Ohtani will end up on the Los Angeles Dodgers next season. The second-most popular pick was that he'd stay with the Angels, followed by a relocation south to San Diego with the Padres. Ohtani signing with the Mets was the fourth-most common opinion in the poll.
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