\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n
The Athletics received four prospects from the Braves this past offseason for Matt Olson, highlighted by Shea Langeliers, one of the better projectable catchers in the minors.<\/p>\n
The Reds received a four-prospect package Friday from the Mariners for Luis Castillo, including one of the best in the game, shortstop Noelvi Marte.<\/p>\n
So what should the Angels receive if they swallow hard (100 times) and actually trade Shohei Ohtani?<\/p>\n
Because Ohtani hits an awful lot like Olson. Ohtani began the weekend with a slash line of .254\/.349\/.486, 21 homers and a 134 OPS-plus in 413 plate appearances. Olson was at .252\/.339\/.499 with 20 homers and a 128 OPS-plus in 439 plate appearances. They were similar in 2021, too.<\/p>\n
Olson gains points for playing first base while Ohtani is a designated hitter. But Ohtani has 37 steals and 10 triples since the offset of last year while Olson has four steals and zero triples.<\/p>\n
Oh yeah, Ohtani also resembles Castillo, just as a pitcher. In 17 starts in 2022, Ohtani had a 2.81 ERA (142 ERA-plus), a slash line against of .210\/.256\/.347 and was striking out 36.4 percent of batters faced. In 14 starts, Castillo had a 2.86 ERA (160 ERA-plus), a slash line against of .201\/.274\/.319 and was striking out 25.8 percent of batters faced. Castillo’s track record for pitching full seasons is considerably stronger and longer than Ohtani’s.<\/p>\nShohei Ohtani is slashing .251\/.345\/.481 this season.<\/figcaption>Kyodo News\/Sipa USA<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nStill, Ohtani basically could pitch first in any rotation and bat second in any lineup \u2014 and he is one person.<\/p>\n
So what do you give up for that person? What would the Angels deem acceptable in a return for arguably the most unique player ever? Especially since Ohtani also might be the most marketable player in the game.<\/p>\n
That is part of the Ohtani dilemma. How to play him. How to pay him. How to trade him. He is one human posing multiple conundrums. For the Angels. For the industry. Likely one day in free agency.<\/p>\n
As The Post first reported Thursday, the Angels had begun to listen to trade inquiries about Ohtani. And that makes sense. On May 15, the Angels were 24-13 and had the majors’ third-best record, behind the Yankees and Astros. Since then (going into Friday), the Angels were a major league-worst 18-44. Anthony Rendon had been lost for the season. Mike Trout was recently diagnosed with a rare back condition that threatens the rest of his season \u2014 and perhaps more than that.<\/p>\n