Insider: Yankees 'will be factors' if Ohtani is on trade block

Shohei Ohtani was the subject of trade rumors heading into the deadline. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

MLB insider: Yankees 'will be factors' if Angels make Shohei Ohtani available via trade

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 8/6/22

While the New York Yankees were unable to gain any real traction on an MLB trade-deadline deal for Juan Soto, one league insider believes they will definitely be players if Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is traded this offseason.

Soto was undoubtedly the biggest fish on the trade market this summer. He is one of the 10 best players in MLB right now and is still under contract through the 2023 season at an absurd bargain rate. While many teams were in the hunt, the San Diego Padres were able to snag Soto — and slugger Josh Bell — by offloading a massive haul that included some elite prospects.

Another player who was rumored to be up for grabs was Ohtani. The generational talent would have had a bigger return than Soto did, but there was never a sense that the Angels were for real about moving him this summer. However, with only one season left on his current contract, and the team headed to yet another losing campaign, the Angels need to seriously think about the idea of moving him this winter.

New York Yankees have the chips for possible Shohei Ohtani trade this offseason

The type of return Ohtani could earn the Angels would help to set up their future and give them a better chance at a successful rebuild in the years ahead. One team that could be a major contender in the Ohtani trade market is the Yankees.

Shohei Ohtani contract: $5.5 million in 2022, arbitration eligible in 2023

On Friday, New York Post MLB insider Joel Sherman (h/t NJ.com) claimed that since the Yankees did not sell off any of their elite prospects at this year’s deadline, that means all of them could be key in landing Ohtani in the offseason.

“By keeping (Anthony) Volpe, (Oswald) Peraza, Jasson Dominguez, Austin Wells, and Trey Sweeney, the Yankees will be factors if the Angels dangle Shohei Ohtani.”

The Yankees had a very productive couple of weeks before the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline. They were able to acquire two of the biggest names on the market in outfielder Andrew Benintendi and pitcher Frankie Montas. And they managed those moves, and several others, without giving up any of their top prospects.

The Yankees will be a serious title contender this fall; however, if they are unable to secure a 28th title in October, expect the likes of Volpe and Dominguez to be on the table if the elite hitter, and pitcher that is Ohtani is on the block.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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