The Los Angeles Angels had no shortage of teams seeking to trade for reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani, but as the Major League Baseball trade deadline nears, it looks like Ohtani will be staying in Los Angeles.
Despite serious trade proposals from teams including the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox, the Angels have elected to retain the star two-way player for at least another season and will not trade him ahead of the Aug. 2 deadline, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
According to Heyman, Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno is “unwilling to let Ohtani leave,” and would not entertain trade offers, particularly with the team’s two other star players – Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon – both out with injuries.
This news comes after reports that the Angels were listening to trade offers for Ohtani, even though chances of a trade were “very slim.”
While this move will keep Ohtani with the Angels for at least the 2021 MLB season, it does not guarantee that he will remain with the team for the foreseeable future. Ohtani is set to become a free agent following next season, and there’s a chance the team will look to trade the former MVP before he hits free agency.
