Shohei Ohtani Trade Rumors: Dodgers Not 'Completely Eliminated' as Deadline Option

As the Los Angeles Angels debate if they want to trade Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to hover over things as a potential landing spot for the three-time All-Star.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Dodgers haven't been "completely eliminated" as a trade candidate for Ohtani ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

It's not even clear right now if the Angels are seriously considering trading Ohtani, especially after sweeping the New York Yankees this week moved them back over .500.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Thursday the Angels aren't close to a decision about whether or not they will trade Ohtani, and the team is likely to wait until 24 to 48 hours before the deadline to arrive at a solution.

ESPN's Buster Olney said earlier this week on SportsCenter the Dodgers, Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers are among the teams to watch as potential Ohtani suitors.

Heyman noted before Ohtani came to MLB, he told the Yankees he didn't see himself in a big city. That was back before the 2018 season and it's almost certain the big-market clubs will be his primary suitors in free agency because they will have less qualms about paying an elite player the record-setting contract it will almost certainly take to sign him.

The Dodgers, in particular, have been lingering as a strong candidate to add the 2021 AL MVP. It's been assumed they will at least make a push to sign him as a free agent, especially after they were quiet this past offseason to cut nearly $44 million from their payroll ($293.3 million in 2022 to $249.9 million in 2023).

Ohtani can swing a playoff race for a contending team if he gets dealt. The 29-year-old leads MLB with 35 homers, seven triples, a .678 slugging percentage and a 1.075 OPS. He's got a 3.50 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 105.1 innings as a pitcher.

The Angels' three-game sweep of the Yankees moved them to 49-48 overall. They are five games behind the Houston Astros for the final wild card spot in the American League as they open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.