If you have tickets for any of the three games of the Toronto Blue Jays’ series against the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre this weekend, you’re in luck.
Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to start on the mound for the visitors in Friday’s opener — and MLB Network insider Jon Morosi doesn’t see the Angels pulling the trigger on any deal for their two-way star, if they decide to do so, until the team leaves Toronto after Sunday’s finale.
The trade deadline is next Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
“I was told by a source yesterday that the Angels still working through scenarios,” Morosi said on The Fan Morning Show with Ailish Forfar and Jusin Cuthbert on Tuesday.
“They’re still open-minded to moving him if the circumstances are right. But they want to wait until after the Tigers series (this week) and the Jays series before making a decision. I do believe by the time play last inning on Sunday at Rogers Centre, they’ll have a pretty good idea of what their direction is going to be.”
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The Angels enter play Tuesday 4.5 games back of the Blue Jays for the final wild-card spot in the American League. Ohtani, the 2021 AL MVP and a three-time All-Star, is a free agent at season’s end.
Morosi previously reported the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks have discussed trades with the Angels.
“I do believe if all things are equal, owner Arte Moreno wants this team to compete for a playoff berth and stay in this thing,” Morosi said. “But if this next week is 3-3 or worse, I think the chances of a trade are legitimate.”
Interestingly, Ohtani could increase his value, while also helping the Angels in the playoff race, with a good start Friday in Toronto.
Ohtani has given up five runs in each of his past three starts.
“He’s not been in top pitching form lately and that’s a concern,” Morosi said.
Ohtani is 8-5 with a 3.71 ERA as a pitcher this season, while he leads the majors with 36 home runs.
There has been some talk of the Los Angeles Angels making an offer for Ohtani, but Morosi thinks it’s more likely they target St. Louis Cardinals star third baseman Nolan Arenado. In Arenado, Morosi says, the Dodgers could be a better long-term fit for Ohtani when he is a free agent.
With other big names Marcus Stroman, Cody Bellinger and Tim Anderson in play, Morosi expects fireworks.
“I think it’s going to be a really active trade deadline,” he said.
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