The August 1 trade deadline is fast approaching, causing the MLB rumor mill to go into overdrive. Shohei Ohtani is the biggest name getting tossed around, and DraftKings has odds on which team the two-way superstar will play for next.
The Angels, Ohtani’s current team, are favored to keep him. But if the organization fears it could lose him in free agency at the end of the season, the Angels may choose to move him now rather than watch him walk and receive nothing in return.
Next Team Odds for Shohei Ohtani
Let’s review the Shohei Ohtani next team odds at DraftKings. The Dodgers, Giants, Orioles, Yankees, and Rays are all priced within 20-to-1 odds to land the two-way star.
Team Shohei Ohtani Takes First Regular Season Plate Appearance or Throws First Regular Season Pitch For After August 1, 2023:
- LA Angels -265
- LA Dodgers +900
- San Francisco Giants +1000
- Baltimore Orioles +1000
- New York Yankees +1200
- Tampa Bay Rays +1600
- Atlanta Braves +2200
- Philadelphia Phillies +2500
- Boston Red Sox +2800
- New York Mets +2800
- Toronto Blue Jays +3000
- Any Other Team +1700
At 51-49, the Angels are not out of the playoff picture by any means. However, they are 4.5 games back in a crowded AL wild-card picture. They could hold on to Ohtani and see if he can lead them into the playoffs, but Ohtani has said he wants to play for a winner. If the Angels fail to make the postseason, he could decide it is time to move on.
Since he will no longer be under contract, he can walk away. So, the Angels have to make a decision: Do they hold onto Ohtani and hope they can re-sign him in the offseason, or do they trade him to a contender at a premium price?
As remarkable a player as he has proven himself to be, several teams will probably be willing to pay a king’s ransom for him. But who?
Ohtani Staying on West Coast Or Heading East?
According to news reports, the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks are among the teams that have inquired about Shohei Ohtani’s trade availability. But their interest has been described as “due diligence” since the Angels have not officially put him on the market.
With the win over the Phillies on July 24, Baltimore improved to 62-38, giving them the best record in the AL and a 2.5-game lead on the Rays in the AL East. But if the Orioles are going to make a deep run in the postseason, they could certainly use him.
Their pitching staff has been respectable with a 4.17 ERA, tied for No. 15 in baseball with the Texas Rangers. As for their offense, the team is batting .250 (No. 16) with an OPS of .739 (No. 12). Adding a solid pitcher and the MLB home run leader could give both the offense and pitching the boost it needs.
Arizona recently lost its hold on first in the NL West after losing eight of their last ten. The Diamondbacks are still in the thick of the wild-card race but could use a talent infusion to help them hold on to one of those playoff spots.
Other teams rumored to have interest include the Giants, Dodgers, and Yankees. But other than the Angels, who have an implied 72.6% chance of holding onto him according to DraftKings odds, the Dodgers have the best shot at just 10%.
Our Pick: Baltimore
The smart move would be for the Angels to trade him. There are too many holes on the roster for them to contend with the better teams in the league.
Someone will pay whatever price the Angels set to improve their chance at a World Series title. As for who can or will be willing to pay the price, the Yankees must be in the conversation. But does Ohtani want to go from the third-place Angels to a team that’s in last place in its division?
Probably not.
The Orioles are a good team, but are they good enough to win the World Series? Eh.
Adding Shohei Ohtani could be the difference. With the young talent on the roster and in the minors, Baltimore could make an offer the Angels can’t pass up.
More MLB betting: 2023 World Series odds | NL Cy Young odds | AL Cy Young odds | MLB MVP odds | Run line betting
Additional Next Team Odds at DraftKings
Impact players — especially those on teams that are struggling — are often on the market before the trade deadline. DraftKings has odds on the teams that several players, along with Ohtani, will play for once the trade dust has settled.
Let’s take a look at some of the top names and the leading contenders to acquire them:
Team Blake Snell Throws First Regular Season Pitch For After August 1, 2023
- Padres -160
- Orioles +800
- Rangers +900
- Dodgers +1100
- Yankees +1200
- Astros +1500
The Padres may not want to trade their best pitcher, but if one of the contenders that need pitching help makes the right offer…
Team Cody Bellinger Takes First Regular Season Plate Appearance For After August 1, 2023
- Cubs +350
- Phillies +450
- Yankees +450
- Astros +800
- Giants +900
- Any other team +1300
Like Snell, it will come down to whether the Cubs want to trade Bellinger, who has rediscovered his MVP form this season. Any team with its eyes on the World Series would want to add a player hitting .319 with an OPS of .918. Quite a few rumors have the Rangers as a potential trade destination.
Team Eduardo Rodriguez Throws First Regular Season Pitch For After August 1, 2023
- Tigers +425
- Rangers +475
- Dodgers +500
- Orioles +650
- Braves +950
- Blue Jays +1000
Detroit fans have to hate the thought of a good pitcher getting traded, but the roster is full of holes, and a pitcher with a 2.67 ERA through 83 2/3 innings will fetch a nice haul on the trade market.
Team Marcus Stroman Throws First Regular Season Pitch For After August 1, 2023
- Astros +380
- Cubs +425
- Rangers +550
- Dodgers +700
- Rays +750
- Blue Jays +1000
If the Cubs put him on the block, the Astros and Rays are among the teams rumored to have an interest in acquiring Stroman. Houston’s starting pitchers have struggled to stay healthy this season. GM Dana Brown has said the team is interested in adding a starting pitcher before the deadline.
Additional players listed with odds at DraftKings include Jordan Montgomery, Josh Hader, Justin Verlander, Lucas Giolito, Max Scherzer, Paul Goldschmidt, and Tim Anderson.
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