There are many teams involved in the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes. Of course, this isn’t surprising, because he’s a once-in-a-generation player. We have never seen anyone do what Ohtani has been able to do since he got to the MLB. It would be more of a story if a team wasn’t interested in him.
Now of course whenever a superstar is available the same teams get brought up. Teams like the Dodgers and the Yankees are seen as the favorites right now to acquire Ohtani. However, there is one team that would be the perfect fit for Ohtani that everyone seems to be glossing over right now. That team is the Baltimore Orioles.
Ohtani Fills the Holes on the Orioles Roster
The Orioles have been one of the more pleasant surprises this season. Currently, they are 58-37 which is the 3rd best record in the MLB. They are in second place in the American League East and only a .5 half back of first. They also have the first wild card in the American League. The reason the Orioles are having so much success this season is thanks to their offense. Adley Rutchsman headlines a lineup that ranks in the top 10 in most offensive categories. Combine this with a shutdown bullpen and you understand why this team has been so good.
However, the issue this team has had is their starting pitching. Now this pitching staff isn’t bad per se, they just are average. They don’t have a front-line starter. Someone who you want to take the ball in game 7 or an elimination game. If the Orioles are serious about making a deep playoff run this season, they need to get themselves an ace.
This is where Shohei Ohtani enters the picture. Over the past two seasons, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league. He has pitched to a 2.79 ERA, in 271.1 innings with 358 strikeouts, 90 walks, a 1.054 WHIP, and a 151 ERA+. Those are front-line starters-type numbers. If your pitcher in an elimination game has those types of numbers, you’re feeling pretty confident in your chances. There are concerns about the blisters Ohtani has been dealing with, but the Angels don’t seem too concerned. He is scheduled to make his next start. Ohtani on his pitching ability alone would make the Orioles a serious World Series contender. Add in his bat and the Orioles might be the best team in the MLB.
What Would It Cost The Orioles To Get Ohtani
Now Ohtani isn’t going to be easy to acquire. The Angels have come out and said they want a Juan Soto-type return for Ohtani. That’s multiple top-100 prospects. That’s a lot, especially considering that you’re only getting Ohtani for the next two months. It’s enough to get teams to back off.
However, if there is any team that can meet the Angels’ high demands it’s the Orioles. The Orioles by far have the best farm system in the MLB, with eight prospects in the top 100. Also, most of these prospects are about to make the MLB. Seven of the eight top 100 prospects are expected to be in the MLB by 2024. However, the only downside to the Orioles’ minor league system is all of their big prospects are position players. They don’t have any big pitching prospects which the Angels desperately want.
Regardless the Orioles can still offer a better package than any MLB team. In fact, the only prospect in their system that would be off-limits would be Jackson Holliday. Everyone else is fair game. They would probably build the trade around outfielder Colton Cowser: the second-best prospect in the Orioles system. Pair him with two or three of the Orioles’ prospects in the top 100. Finally, throw in a couple of young starters and that should be enough to get a deal done. If the Orioles are serious about making a deep playoff run, trading for Ohtani would almost guarantee it.
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