Shohei Ohtani Trade Deadline 2023: Barstool Sports commentator Eric Hubbs rips Angels' decision to keep Shohei Ohtani
In a surprising turn of events, the Los Angeles Angels have reportedly opted to retain Shohei Ohtani and make an aggressive move in the trade market by acquiring Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.
Barstool Sports' Eric Hubbs couldn't help but rip the decision:
"Insanely dumb, but hilarious to watch unfold," he said.
Initially, it seemed like Ohtani's departure was imminent, with rumors of a potential trade swirling for weeks:
Are the Angels the dumbest franchise in baseball?
@JackKennedy @thejeffvibbert @DonnieDoesWorld @BarstoolHubbs
@BarstoolRundown presented by @PardonMySteak: youtu.be/RdN1wwjeB60 pic.twitter.com/bQAh9J1Ca5
The Angels were expected to secure a substantial haul for the two-way superstar. However, in a late twist, the team announced that Ohtani was staying put, leaving fans and pundits perplexed.
Despite being four games back in the wild-card race, the Angels are taking a bold approach by going all-in with Giolito and Lopez.
But with tough competition from the Yankees and Red Sox, this move raises eyebrows. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off, or if the Angels' decision will be remembered as a costly misstep.
Potential trade destinations for Shohei Ohtani
The Angels must make a decision before the trade deadline on August 1. According to reports, any prospective trade for Ohtani would require multiple top-100 prospects from interested teams.
The dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Ohtani. Ohtani is at ease on the West Coast, and his aspirations are consistent with the Dodgers' track record of success.
The fact that the Dodgers did not make many offseason acquisitions the year before feeds rumors that they might be holding out for a chance to sign Ohtani. The Dodgers, who have a reputation for pursuing elite talent, appear to be the front-runners in this potentially game-changing deal.