Shohei Ohtani has been undoubtedly the most popular topic in Major League Baseball this season.
Not only is he having perhaps one of the best seasons a player has ever had, as the two-way superstar is on pace to break Aaron Judge's AL home run record while also allowing only 1.12 WHIP and holding a 3.50 ERA, but he is also potentially on the trade block.
If the Angels do end up dealing their superstar it would be one of the most dramatic trades in baseball history — think the Red Sox trading away Babe Ruth.
As the Angels fell to the Astros on Friday to open the second half and are still recovering from a 1-9 record in their last 10 games before the All-Star break, there is an increasing chance that Ohtani could suit up in different threads this season.
Jon Morosi reported on MLB Network that the Angels front office will consider incoming trade inquiries for Ohtani, but only if the price is right.
The next week of games could be telling in how the front office views the club's postseason chances. The Halos are currently fourth in the AL West and 6 games back in the AL Wild Card race.
Should the Angels deal Ohtani, the Yankees have emerged as one of the favorites to land the 29-year-old. Immediately following the Astros series, the Angels will travel to New York to face off against the Yankees in what could be a battle for retaining Ohtani ... maybe.
As fun or scary, depending on your allegiances, as it is to think about a blockbuster trade for Ohtani, Morosi also reported that "many in the industry still view a trade as unlikely."
Ohtani struggled on Friday vs the Astros as his blister issue resurfaced, which is an added devastating blow for the Halos and this all-important homestand.
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