Yankees 'most motivated' to trade for Ohtani (report) [View all]

MLB.com / July 13, 2023

Will the Angels trade Shohei Ohtani before the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline? That question has been asked myriad times already and will be asked much more as we near that key date. But let's set that aside for one second and instead ask another question: If the Angels make Ohtani available, which club would be the likeliest to go after him? Sources have told ESPN's Buster Olney that the Yankees are that club.

"You start with the Yankees. The Yankees, the Yankees, the Yankees," Olney said Thursday, before mentioning the Rangers and Rays as other teams that could make an effort to acquire the two-way superstar before the Deadline.

"In talking with sources yesterday, they see the Yankees as potentially being the most motivated, because Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton -- they are middle-aged players right in the prime of their careers," Olney added. "This is the Yankees' window to win now."

More speculation (offseason free agency) at the link: https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-rumors

I imagine trading for Ohtani would deplete the Yankee farm system and/or cost one or two long-term signed veterans. That's a big gamble for one rental player, though I bet New York thinks it might help entice him to sign as a free agent. Would it be a plus in the playoffs? For sure.