The Shohei Ohtani trade speculation is heating up.
The Los Angeles Angels will consider trade inquiries for Ohtani, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB Network, who added that the club has not eliminated the possibility of a deal prior to the Aug. 1 deadline.
A nine-game homestand coming out of the All-Star break will play a large role in determining the team's direction, notes Morosi. The Angels are slated to play nine games against the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Astros and Yankees sit above Los Angeles in the AL wild-card race.
The Angels are five games out of a final playoff spot and seven behind the division-leading Texas Rangers after losing five straight and nine out of 10 before the break.
Ohtani is the favorite to win his second AL MVP award in the last three years thanks to a monster first half that saw him go deep an MLB-high 32 times with a 1.050 OPS. On the mound, the three-time All-Star posted a 3.32 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 100 1/3 innings (17 starts). He's expected to land the largest deal in major-league history when he likely enters free agency after the 2023 campaign.
The 29-year-old was the center of attention during the All-Star Game. He answered questions about trade rumors and was even courted by Seattle Mariners fans during the Midsummer Classic.
