If the Los Angeles Angels had traded Shohei Ohtani to a National League West team other than the Los Angeles Dodgers three years ago, the landscape of Major League Baseball might have looked very different today.
Ken Rosenthal, an MLB insider for The Athletic, revealed on the “Foul Territory” podcast that the Angels and San Diego Padres were talking about trading Ohtani in 2022, which would have brought one of the best young hitters in the game to the Halos.
“They had every opportunity to trade Ohtani but did not do so. Rosenthal stated that Jackson Merrill was once involved in discussions between the Padres and Angels regarding Ohtani.
With talks failing to progress, the Padres pivoted to Juan Soto and made a blockbuster trade with the Washington Nationals for the superstar. In the deal, the Padres gave up:
- Outfielder James Wood
- Shortstop C.J. Abrams
- Left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore
- Outfielder Robert Hassell III
- Right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana
- First baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit
Wood is emerging as a franchise cornerstone, Abrams has developed into an All-Star, Gore has become Washington’s ace, and Susana and Hassell are the organization’s Nos. 2 and 11 prospects, respectively.
While Soto had two and a half years of control at the time of the trade, compared to Ohtani’s one and a half, it’s reasonable to believe the Angels could have received a comparable package for the two-way superstar, including Merrill.
“This was Shohei Ohtani, so the packages were probably similar. “Merrill was involved,” Rosenthal explained. “We don’t know if he would have been a part of the final deal. The fact that they could have made such a deal for Ohtani simply demonstrates that they squandered an opportunity.
After six seasons with the Angels and missing the playoffs despite winning AL MVP twice, Ohtani signed a then-record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season. He went on to become the first player in history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases, as well as win his first NL MVP award and a World Series championship.
If the Angels had traded Ohtani in 2022, they might not be mired in the AL West basement again, but rather looking forward to a bright future with Merrill, and possibly Wood, Abrams, and Gore.
