MLB Rumors: Latest Shohei Ohtani trade update with Angels surging
Coming into the 2023 season, all of the earliest possible MLB Trade Deadline buzz was about the possibility that the Los Angeles Angels could trade their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani, as he's set to become a free agent this offseason and is expected to leave the Halos.
The contingency for trading Ohtani, however, was that the Angels would have to fall out of contention to do so. Thus far, that hasn't happened. In fact, it's gone the opposite way. After a mediocre start, LA has climbed into second place in the AL West and into an American League wild card race as well.
So what does that mean for Ohtani at the deadline? Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that the Angels have no plans to trade the superstar as long as they remain in the mix. Having said that, Bowden did note that, should the club start to falter over the next six weeks before the deadline and there is no chance of an extension or re-signing him, they'd be best-served to move him.
Bowden ultimately predicted that the club will remain in the playoff hunt, though, and that Ohtani won't be moved.
That truly seems to be the way things are heading. The Angels have finally started to put the pieces fully together around Ohtani and fellow superstar Mike Trout this season with aggressive call-ups and players stepping up as well.
Of course, that doesn't guarantee anything beyond this season. But the writing on the wall right now says that any team dreaming of an Ohtani trade during the 2023 campaign for a playoff push of their own will be left wanting.
MLB Rumors: Cubs trade deadline plans for Stroman, Morel and more
There is perhaps no more difficult team to figure out leading up to the trade deadline than the Chicago Cubs. The remaining weeks until the Aug. 1 deadline will tell us a ton about what's going to happen but they are a mystery right now, sitting two games under .500 but only 3.5 games out of first place in the flailing NL Central. Moreover, the Cubbies have been surging as of late.
So as things currently stand, what does the plan look like in Chicago for the trade deadline?
Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) ran down the possible candidates to be traded before Aug. 1 and the Cubs had several entrants on the list, but with varying levels of commitment to the possibility of them being moved.
Marcus Stroman is a fascinating case in that he's the most valuable trade asset for the Cubs but has also expressed interest in working out an extension as he'll likely opt out of the final year of his contract this coming offseason. Bowden noted that, if there is no progress on an extension, he's a candidate to headline a blockbuster deadline trade.
As for candidates to be moved, perhaps whether the Cubs stay in the playoff hunt or not, Bowden listed starting pitcher Drew Smyly, third baseman Patrick Wisdom (if he's healthy), and catcher Yan Gomes as possibilities to be dealt. Meanwhile, if the club does fall out of contention, the MLB insider surmised that moving Cody Bellinger could be in the team's best interest to continue building for the future.
Christopher Morel, who has been enjoying a breakout start to the summer, was also mentioned on the Top 100 list but Bowden seems convinced that the Cubs, even if they could get a big return for him, won't deal a player who has many years of club control and could just be scratching his potential.
MLB Rumors: Braves could trade Travis d'Arnaud in surprise move at right price
If there's one thing we know about the Alex Anthopoulos Atlanta Braves, it's that they are going to be active on the trade market. With a need to fortify the starting rotation, add some bullpen arms, and possibly solidify the outfield depth — specifically in left field or at the DH — there are needs the club could definitely look to address before the deadline.
One of the more interesting things to consider, though, is who the Braves could actually trade in order to acquire the help they could be searching for. With the trades for Matt Olson and Sean Murphy over the past two years, among others, they have used several of the top prospects in the organization to make moves already.
That could lead to a surprise trade for the Braves, namely dealing catcher/DH Travis d'Arnaud.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that, while Atlanta is not actively shopping d'Arnaud, if the Braves received an offer for the veteran that would land them a "mid-rotation starting pitcher", then the organization would have to consider it.
Outside of missing a brief period of time with a concussion early in the year, d'Arnaud has been a luxury for the Braves as a backup catcher and part-time designated hitter, which has offered manager Brian Snitker a ton of flexibility with the likes of Murphy, Marcell Ozuna, and Eddie Rosario.
Having said that, d'Arnaud is only signed through 2024 and the Braves could make a move to upgrade their World Series chances by dealing the veteran to a team that can offer the pitching help they need. There's no guarantee that such a deal comes about but, if it does, d'Arnaud could indeed be on the move.
