Report: Angels pull Shohei Ohtani from trading block

Jul 27, 2023, 8:31 AM | Updated: 8:34 am

DETROIT, MI - JULY 25: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels bats during the fifth inning aga...

(Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings Beat Writer

Shohei Ohtani is staying put in Los Angeles.

According to multiple reports, the two-way superstar will not be traded before Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline passes. Instead of moving Ohtani, the Los Angeles Angels will instead make a push for the postseason.

The move to hold onto Ohtani, who will become a free agent at the end of this season, is a gamble for an Angels franchise that has not made the playoffs since 2014.

Trading the 29-year-old would have netted an enormous return, but Los Angeles will look to make one last run at the playoffs with Ohtani and three-time MVP Mike Trout.

EXCLUSIVE: Shohei Ohtani is off the trade market, a source familiar to the Angels' decision told SI’s Tom Verducci.

Los Angeles, four games off a wild-card spot, will instead make a push for the postseason https://t.co/5Rq6s4ImUW

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 27, 2023

Entering play on Thursday, the Angels sat four games behind the third and final American League wild card spot with 61 games remaining in the regular season.

Ohtani, who seemingly already has his second-career MVP award locked up, is batting .299 with 36 home runs and 99 RBI while holding an 8-5 record with a 3.71 ERA on the mound.

Los Angeles has needed more frontline starting pitching for years, and they solidified their stance of buying at the deadline by trading for All-Star right-hander Lucas Giolito on Wednesday night.

With Giolito joining the Angels’ pitching staff, Ohtani in the fold, and Trout’s return in the coming weeks, Los Angeles is gearing up for a stretch run.

The news that Ohtani is coming off the trade block will affect several teams’ stances for the deadline, including the San Francisco Giants. Many teams, including the Giants, were rumored to have checked in on the possibility of trading for Ohtani.

Now that Ohtani is not available in trade, San Francisco will have to pivot and look at acquiring other players that could be on the move.

Trade Deadline update: Sources say Blue Jays, Mariners, Giants, Brewers are among teams looking at middle infielders.

Available names include White Sox SS Tim Anderson, Cardinals SS Paul DeJong, and Rays UTL Vidal Bruján. @MLBNetwork @MLBNetworkRadio

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 26, 2023

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Giants are looking for middle infield help while Brandon Crawford and Thairo Estrada work their way back from the injured list.

Although San Francisco recently called up its top infield prospect in Marco Luciano, the Giants will likely try to bring a veteran infielder and starting pitcher in for their own playoff push.

We’re just days away from Tuesday’s trade deadline. Get ready for plenty of deals and rumors over the next five days.