Ohtani Trade Speculation Renewed: 7 Teams With Realistic Shot

As most major league teams' executives gather together in Seattle this week during the All-Star break, trade talks are sure to be ramping up, with only three weeks to go before the trade deadline.

And despite the Los Angeles Angels' repeated insistence so far this season that they will not be trading generational superstar Shohei Ohtani, there are many around the game who believe that stance is softening. According to a report in the New York Post, following their recent swoon (nine losses in ten games), the Angels are "starting to move away from their no-sell stance and are telling folks they will evaluate the situation over the next two to three weeks, meaning a trade of Ohtani could at least become a consideration," writes Jon Heyman.

With that in mind, he handicaps the seven teams with a realistic shot at landing the game's greatest talent.

Los Angeles Dodgers

This is a natural. Ohtani gets to stay in LA, where he's always wanted to be, but in the city, with a perennial World Series contender.

New York Yankees

Went after Ohtani last year, and the Angels do like some of their prospects. They're sure to come calling again. As with the Dodgers, this offers Ohtani a chance to win.

New York Mets

Mets GM Billy Eppler was the one who signed Ohtani for the Angels, so there's that. But the cost would be prohibitive since the Mets are already into serious tax territory. Heyman says they'd be paying double whatever they gave Ohtani.

And then we have four teams out West that have made (or attempted to make) some bold moves in recent seasons, and are anxious to pull off another: