Shohei Ohtani

Position: Starting Pitcher and Designated Hitter
Bats/Throws: L/R
Age: 28 (July 5, 1994)
2022 Batting
Traditional: 666 PA, .273/.356/.519/.875, 160 H, 34 HR, 95 RBI, 72 BB, 161 K
Advanced: 142 wRC+, 24.2 K%, 10.8 BB%, .320 BABIP, .385 xwOBA, 3.8 fWAR, 3.4 bWAR
2022 Pitching
Traditional: 28 GS, 166.0 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.012 WHIP, 15-9 W/L, 219 K, 44 BB
Advanced: 172 ERA+, 33.2 K%, 6.7 BB%, 2.68 xERA, 2.40 FIP, 2.65 xFIP, 5.6 fWAR, 6.1 bWAR

Rundown

It’s Shotime!

Shohei Ohtani is a true once-in-a-generation player. It took him a few seasons to reach the full hitting and pitching potential he has but now he’s been everything expected and more.

Ohtani made his MLB debut at 23 with the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani was the 2018 rookie of the year after showing his two-way ability with 22 home runs and a .285/.361/.564/.925 slash line while pitching to a 3.31 ERA in 10 starts.

But it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Japanese megastar. Prior to even signing with the Angels, Ohtani was diagnosed with a first-degree UCL sprain in his elbow. By the time the end of the 2018 season hit, he was recommended for Tommy John surgery.

Ohtani wouldn’t pitch in 2019 but still appeared in 106 games as a designated hitter. Sadly his season was shortened when he needed surgery to repair a bipartite patella. His sophomore season finished with a .286/.343/.505 line, 18 home runs and 62 RBIs.

Ohtani attempted to pitch again in 2020. He made one start in July, allowing five runs without recording an out. He experienced discomfort in his arm following his second start of the season and was shut down from throwing for the rest of the season. It was the worst season of his career with Ohtani batting just .190/.291/.366.

Ohtani rebuilt himself in 2021. It was a magical season. Every game it seemed he broke a stat or record that hadn’t been done since the dead ball era. He easily won the MVP. He had 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, a 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. What’s crazy about 2021 is he might’ve been even better in 2022.

This season Ohtani’s OPS fell slightly but his pitching was the best it’s ever been. Over 166 innings and 28 starts, Ohtani had a 2.33 ERA. That combined with his 34 home runs should make him the unanimous most valuable player. But that voting will have to wait.

Ohtani is a free agent at the end of the 2023 season. Angels owner Arte Moreno is looking to sell the team. The Angels are not in a spot to compete. All signs look toward Ohtani not finishing his initial contract in LA. Every team is interested, it’s all about who has the package available to get him.

Package

The Mets can put together a package of prospects to satisfy the Angels wants for Ohtani. The real question is if it’s worth it.

It’s likely the Mets are parting ways with all of these players.

MLB No. 1 Francisco Alvarez
MLB No. 18 Brett Baty
MLB No. 85 Alex Ramirez

That’s just the start. It’s impossible to quantify what’s needed prospect-wise for the only two-way player in the sport but three top-100 prospects is a good place to start. The Mets also have catcher Kevin Parada as the No. 37 ranked prospect. Is it possible he’s attached?

The Mets prospect list falls off after their top four. Ronny Mauricio is a name brought up in every proposal and Mark Vientos has been trying to be moved since last season. One thing between the top prospects is none of them are pitchers and none of them have an ETA until 2025. It’s possible someone as electric as Joel Diaz could propel himself to the majors quicker than his 2026 ETA but the Angels will be waiting for years on their return and how much does a new owner want to wait to compete?

If the Mets are fully committed to winning a World Series in the next three seasons than an Ohtani trade for all these players makes sense. The problem is it’s contradictory to every statement the team has made about building a sustainable winner under Steve Cohen.

My Thoughts

Absolutely you trade for Ohtani. No player can match what he does. It will be bittersweet to not see what Alvarez and Baty can do in the major leagues, especially if they have success, but World Series wins are forever.

Maybe the price is down because Ohtani has one year remaining on his deal but it’s hard to imagine any team moving for him without the intent to lock him up for the long term.

Trade for Ohtani. Sign Aaron Judge. It’s not your money so who cares if it’s reckless? Go out and win it all.