The Angels have to wonder whether they are star-crossed after both Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon left a game with injuries the day it was announced Mike Trout had a broken hamate bone in his left hand and would miss a month or more. Ohtani made it back the next game as a DH, but now, with Trout out, there’s at least a hint the Angels might consider a long-shot trade of Ohtani.
The Angels are telling folks they will “know a lot more in the next two or three weeks” regarding their plans. Folks still have a hard time imagining owner Arte Moreno trading the game’s best current player, and maybe the best ever, even if he’s somehow convinced they have no chance to re-sign him. Even so, Angels people seem to be leaving open the slight possibility of an Ohtani blockbuster.
Moreno was dead-set against a trade last summer when Ohtani still had a year and a half to go before free agency, but though he would only be a rental now, he’d still hold enormous value as a two-way superstar with a chance to break an AL home run record that stood for 61 years until Aaron Judge broke it last season.
An acquiring team might also believe a new two-month-plus relationship could enhance its chances of signing the biggest free agent ever long-term.
Nelson Cruz, who just turned 43 and was designated by the Padres earlier this week, is hoping to keep playing. And why not? He’s 36 home runs from 500. …
Nationals 3B Jeimer Candelario is drawing serious interest. The Marlins are an obvious fit.
The Nats’ rebuilding appears ahead of schedule, thanks to the trade of Juan Soto, in which they netted five young players. Starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore is showing flashes of brilliance, as is SS C.J. Abrams, and 1B/OF prospect James Wood continues to look special.“Both teams got what they wanted,” Nats GM Mike Rizzo said.
“We like our end, and I’m sure the Padres like their end. Juan Soto is an All-Star and one of the best players in the game.” …
Carlos Rodon is feeling great, and the belief is his 95 mph velocity in his rehab starts should improve with adrenaline in his Yankees debut Friday night. …
MLB is considering a Paris series in 2025, and the Yankees are among teams showing interest with a great chance. Bonne idée. …
“Philly just needed to get over the postseason hangover,” says a rival. Maybe it was some of the same for the Padres? Still no explanation for the Cardinals. Or really, the Mets.