All of the talk surrounding the Dodgers this offseason has been about them going after Angels two-way Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani is the big fish on the free agency market, but if he decides to not come to LA, the Dodgers will need to pivot their plan.
One option could be going after the other Angels star player, Mike Trout. There have been reports that the Angels could move Trout this offseason if he were to ask for a trade, and if that happens, LA could approach them.
While it remains unlikely the Angels move Trout, and even more unlikely that owner Arte Moreno would trade him to the Dodgers, it could be something to look into. Trout is a multi-time MVP, and he could help them stabilize their outfield next to Mookie Betts.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report proposed multiple trade packages for Trout if he were to be moved, with one of them sending him up the I-5 freeway to Los Angeles. In the deal, Rymer has the Dodgers getting Trout, starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval and $70 million to put toward the remaining contract of Trout. In return, the Angels would get pitcher Tony Gonsolin and catching prospect Dalton Rushing.
“Would a team as risk-averse as the Dodgers really choose now as the time to pursue Trout? For that matter, would Dodgers-averse Angels owner Arte Moreno allow such a thing?”
Per Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report
For LA, they would get Trout and a pitcher in Sandoval, who has shown some flashes of brilliance so far in his career. The left-handed pitcher holds an ERA of 4.48 on the season, but he did put up an ERA of 2.91 over 27 games last season. If the Dodgers could pull the trigger on this deal, they likely would.
“He and Betts played together at this year’s World Baseball Classic and generally seem tight. Otherwise, contenders don’t get more consistent than the Dodgers.”
Per Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report
On the surface, this deal looks good for the Dodgers, but the Angels could likely get more for their star player. Rushing would be a solid get for them, but they already have catcher Logan O’Hoope on their roster. Plus, Gonsolin will be coming off Tommy John Surgery, so the Halos may not want to deal with that.
It’s an interesting proposition here, but an unlikely one at best. However, never say never, because weirder things have happened in sports history.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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