- Los Angeles Angels’ two-way superstar could be traded at the MLB trade deadline, but his -375 odds suggest that he will stay with the club.
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors come amid his contract with the Angels expiring at the end of the season. If not the Angels, the Las Angeles Dodgers are the most likely suitor for Ohtani.
- The Angels’ World Series odds have recently tanked due to Mike Trout’s injury. Trout is out of the lineup for at least 4-8 weeks.
The Los Angeles Angels are the only Major League club Shohei Ohtani has known in his six-year career. Amid news that he could be dealt, odds at Bovada point to the generational talent staying with the franchise for now. Currently, Ohtani has -375 odds to remain with the Angels at the MLB trade deadline.
The 29-year-old native of Mizusawa, Japan, is getting paid at the end of this season. He can expect a lucrative deal coming his way. However, is it going to come from the Angels or another ballclub?
If the Angels have no confidence in re-signing Ohtani, their best option is to look for a trade at the upcoming trade deadline. Ohtani is playing on a one-year $30 million contract this year. As an unrestricted free agent in 2024, the two-way phenom can pick where he wants to go.
A bidding war would likely ensue, with the Angels potentially being left out of the picture. Ohtani doesn’t necessarily have to leave Los Angeles. The Dodgers have the money to lure Ohtani to a more competitive club. They have the second-best odds of Ohtani being on their roster post-trade deadline.
Ohtani In the Midst of Historic Season, Favored To Win AL MVP
Only a year after Aaron Judge broke the American League home run record, Ohtani is looking to shatter more records. Judge’s record may not stand for long if Ohtani stays on course in the second half of the season.
At the MLB All-Star break, Ohtani is hitting .302 with 32 home runs and 71 RBIs. In 2022, Judge finished with 62 home runs to break Roger Maris’ American League home run record. With 32 home runs at the break, Ohtani is on pace to break Judge’s record.
OHTANI HOME RUN 🦄
His MLB leading 32nd homer of the season.
🎥: @BallySportWest pic.twitter.com/MXsqvLllQ8
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 9, 2023
Maris’ home record stood for 61 years. He registered 61 home runs and 141 RBIs in the 1961 MLB Season. After waiting six decades for a player to break the record, it may only stand for one year because of Ohtani.
Along with Ohtani swinging a hot bat, he’s also been a major threat on the mound. As a pitcher, Ohtani has been efficient with a 3.32 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 17 starts. He was unable to pitch at the All-Star Game due to a blister on his throwing hand.
Ohtani’s AL Cy Young odds have slipped to the fifth-best at Bovada. Currently, Ohtani has +1100 odds to win the top pitcher’s honor in baseball. At the halfway mark, Framber Valdez has the leading AL Cy Young odds at +200.
Despite his long Cy Young odds, Ohtani’s AL MVP odds are leaning heavily in his favor. Ohtani is a huge betting favorite at -1500 to win the 2023 AL MVP award. Corey Seager, who has +2000 odds, is the next closest player to Ohtani in the American League odds at Bovada.
Dodgers Next Likeliest Destination For Ohtani
When discussing Ohtani’s trade rumors, it is important to note that he could stay in Los Angeles but play for a new ballclub. The Dodgers, who are no strangers to making blockbuster trades at the deadline, have the next best odds to acquire Ohtani.
Following the Angels, the Dodgers have the second-best odds to trade for Ohtani at +500. The odds of Ohtani being traded are not that crazy. Ohtani remaining with the Angels is far from a lock at -375 odds.
Shohei Ohtani arriving in Los Angeles for the Angels-Dodgers game today pic.twitter.com/mHIB2PHmyY
— MLB Life (@MLBLife) July 8, 2023
Ohtani does not speak much with the media, so it is tough to say what he is currently thinking. The Angels have not revealed too much information regarding their plans for retaining Ohtani.
If a trade comes to fruition, he would be going to a World Series contender with the Dodgers, who have the third-best odds to win the World Series at +550. Currently, they are 51-38 and tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks for first in the NL West.
Ohtani would join a Dodgers club loaded with talent. Putting Ohtani in a lineup that features Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts sounds like a World Series favorite. Expect the Dodgers to overtake the Braves for the best World Series odds if this trade occurs.
The New York Mets follow the Dodgers as the next likely team to trade for Ohtani, according to the betting odds at Bovada. The Mets have +750 odds to bring Ohtani to Queens for the home stretch of the season. Intercity rival, the New York Yankees, check in behind the Mets at +900.
Angels’ 2023 World Series Odds In Freefall
The Angels have had two of the best players in baseball on their roster since Ohtani arrived in the United States. However, they have never been able to find success with Ohtani and Mike Trout. A wrist injury to Trout has complicated things even more in Anaheim.
Earlier this month, Trout went under the knife to repair a fractured wrist. The injury was the result of a foul ball against the Padres’ Nick Martinez in a 10-3 loss. Trout immediately exited the game and didn’t return.
The Angels are attempting to keep their heads above water, but it hasn’t been easy. Since the injury, the Angels haven’t won a game. They were swept by the Padres in three games and then lost a two-game interleague series against the Dodgers going into the All-Star break.
Now, the Angels have +6600 odds to win the World Series in 2023. The postseason appears well out of reach for the Angels as well. The Angels are +600 to make and -1200 to miss the postseason in 2023.
