Shohei Ohtani trade speculation continues to swirl around baseball and the Arizona Diamondbacks are not immune to chatter.
Especially since ESPN included the team in a story about “presumed Ohtani blockbusters.”
ESPN’s David Schoenfeld suggested the Diamondbacks send shortstop Jordan Lawlor, outfielder Alec Thomas, RHP Slade Cecconi and LHP Yu-Min Lin to the Los Angeles Angels for Ohtani, a versatile pitcher and outfielder who has seen rumors of a future rotation for weeks.
Schoenfeld wrote of the proposed deal: “The Diamondbacks are building a great deal here, so they’ll be reluctant to walk away from future talent, but if Otani were to land as a free agent with the Dodgers or Giants, 2023 could be their best chance to win a division title in the next five years. An added bonus: They could be the only National League team committing both resources and effort.” For example, the Dodgers would prefer to just sign Ohta. The D-backs have two premium prospects in Lollar and outfielder Drew Jones, and the departure of Geraldo Perm would allow them to include Lollar in the deal. .”
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Thinking about Ohtani in a Diamondbacks uniform is certainly exciting for Diamondbacks fans, but is it true?
The MLB superstar could be a rental in Arizona (unless the team somehow convinces him to sign here long-term and gives him the money to do so), and the Diamondbacks would have to give up a lot of their young core to get him.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan included a hypothetical Diamondbacks trade in the “We’re Talking Right Now” category, but he thinks Arizona should deal more for a generational player.
“That’s a strong offer — and I’m still inclined to say no,” Passan wrote. “While Lawlar is a top-25 prospect, some scouts doubt he’s the type of player to build that size of a deal. Lynn is a favorite, already at Double-A at just 20 years old, but Thomas hasn’t hit 600 in big league pitches and Cecconi is crumbling in the Triple-A lineup. More willing to listen.”
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ESPN isn’t the only site to include the Diamondbacks in Ohtani’s estimation.
CBS Sports’ RJ Anderson included Arizona on his list of MLB teams that need Ohtani the most.
“It would be more interesting to see him go out for a stretch run against one of these dark horse teams like the Reds or Diamondbacks,” he wrote.
“There’s a chance Arizona could trade him,” wrote FanSided’s Branson Miller for Ohtani.
He wrote: “It’s time for the Diamondbacks. This team (10 games over .500) is too talented not to make the postseason. Getting a guy like Ohtani would instantly make this team a World Series favorite.”
Halo Hangout surprisingly has the Diamondbacks ranked No. 2 on the list of teams with the best prospects to trade Ohtani to the Angels.
Zachary Rothman wrote: “Adding Ohtan to a rotation that includes Zach Gallen and Meryl Kelly would be unrealistic. Adding him to a lineup with the likes of Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Christian Walker would be good for them, too.”
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Medium.com reported a similar trade to ESPN, writing that the team could have a shot at signing the Angels star long-term, with Arizona getting Ohtani, Thomas, Lawler, Cecconi and infielders Ryan Bliss and Ruben Santana in the deal.
Ryan Fearon writes: “With young talent and an MLB-ready farm, the Diamondbacks can afford to trade for Ohtani without giving up young talent like Drew Jones. Lawlor will be expensive, but the Diamondbacks are one of the few teams with a shot at signing Ohtani long-term, so the risk may be worth it.”
Sport360az.com’s Jordan Spurgeon called Ohtani’s idea of an Arizona trade a pipe dream.
He wrote: “Well, this is highly unlikely, but if the organization sees this year as a championship opportunity, then why not get the best rental player? He will be the number two player and the biggest bat in your lineup (32 home runs, . If so, that might be the case, but I doubt his attitude at this point. Will Otani sign a contract extension? The answer is no, but winning a World Series in the Valley could motivate him to sign long term. Okay, enough dreaming.”
Do you think the Diamondbacks should trade for Shohei Otani?
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter. @Jeremy_Clough.
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