The New York Yankees checked in on multiple superstar players at the trade deadline just over a week ago. They were firmly in the mix for Juan Soto before the San Diego Padres took the lead and didn’t let the opportunity go.
However, the Yankees jumped into the mix for Shohei Ohtani while the Angels were listening to prospective offers.
With the Angels in sell-mode, they contemplated the idea of retooling their entire farm system by trading Ohtani, but they pulled the plug before negotiations really materialized, which could end up biting them in the butt as the winter months approach.
Los Angeles may look to trade him during the winter, but that would obviously mean they gave up on gaining more value at the deadline this summer. It seems like the Yankees were willing to satisfy any demand the Angels had for the 28-year-old.
Per Jon Heyman of The Post, the Yankees were prepared to offer any number of players to acquire the dual-threat player.
The Yankees were not alone among teams telling the Angels, in effect, just tell us which prospects you want
Per Jon Heyman
Shohei Ohtani would’ve been a godsend for the Yankees:
This season, Ohtani is hitting .256 with a 35% on base rate and .500 slugging percentage. He’s hit 25 homers with 66 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. He’s recorded a career-low 23.2% strikeout rate and 11.8% walk rate, once again showcasing incredible offensive capabilities.
However, Ohtani isn’t just a top-level hitter, he’s also one of the most effective starting pitchers in baseball this year. He features a 2.68 ERA, 2.39 xFIP, 12.73 strikeouts per 9, and an 81.8% left on base rate over 111 innings pitched.
Ohtani’s pitch sequence is lethal:
Utilizing a slider, 4-seam fastball, split-finger, and curveball, Ohtani has taken his game to another level. He decreased his 4-seam fastball usage by more than 10% this year, seeing a big increase in slider usage. His slider is generating a .169 average against with a 43.7% whiff rate and 32.7% put away rate. His split-finger fastball is also generating a .118 average with a 52. 3% whiff rate and 33. 7% put away rate, tossing it 14.1 percent of the time.
Ohtani is gearing up to be the first player ever to earn $50 million per season, and the Yankees would gladly pay him, given the astronomical value he holds. Just imagine if Gerrit Cole could hit 30+ homers per year. What would you pay for that? Clearly, the Yankees are willing to give up the farm, and they may dive back into the Ohtani sweepstakes during the winter months.