The Blockbuster Shohei Ohtani Trade That Almost Changed Rays History

Imagine the Tampa Bay Rays pairing one of the biggest superstars in baseball history with one of the best rotations the organization had ever seen. Well, according to a recent report, that reality nearly happened in 2023. 

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Rays reportedly discussed a blockbuster trade for MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani at the 2023 MLB trade deadline. In his final year, he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. 

This would have drastically changed the team's World Series push in 2023 and the future of today's Rays, who currently lead the American League standings.

 The trade that would have likely been only a rental for Ohtani's services in 2023 reportedly centered on top prospects Carson Williams and Junior Caminero, two potential cornerstones for the future of this organization. It was also reported that the Rays were willing to add more pieces, but Angels owner Art Moreno refused to move Ohtani. That decision definitely changed the future for both organizations. 

As for the thought of adding Ohtani, it would have made perfect sense for Tampa Bay in 2023. They were legitimate contenders. They started the year 13-0, and adding another superstar to their already loaded lineup and rotation would have raised it to another level. The pitching staff already included Tyler Glasnow, Zach Eflin, and Shane McClanahan before his injury in August of that season. Adding Ohtani would have strengthened that lineup, added more rotational depth, especially after McClanahan's injury, and brought even more national attention to Tampa Bay. 

It easily would have been seen as World Series or bust, though, because the cost would have been massive. Caminero, who is becoming a cornerstone slugger for this team as we speak, would currently be sitting on the West Coast instead of playing half his games at Tropicana Field. Williams, who is still seen as an upside-down defensive shortstop, could also have been moved, and that could have hurt the future of this organization as well. They would not have traded for prospects; they would have traded a large portion of their future along with it. It would have all been worth it if they had won the 2023 World Series with Ohtani in the lineup. 

Regardless of what could have been, the Rays are in a much better situation now compared to the Angels, the other team, in this potential blockbuster that almost happened. The Rays are serious contenders to find themselves in the Fall Classic this year, as the Angels continue to find themselves at the bottom of their own division standings, with another superstar in Mike Trout wasting away his future Hall of Fame career. 

There's no way to tell if the Tampa Bay Rays would have had enough, even with Ohtani, to get past the Texas Rangers, who themselves spent over half a billion dollars for the middle of their infield alone that offseason. The future of the Rays is one of the brightest in all of baseball.