3 Baltimore Orioles players the LA Angels should demand in a Shohei Ohtani trade

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The Los Angeles Angels have played quality baseball this past week, winning five of their last six games. Even though they've managed to remain in the thick of the Wild Card race, the team's inspired play on the field still seems secondary to the question that everyone wants to ask but nobody wants to answer: is Shohei Ohtani going to be traded?

The questions of Ohtani's future will persist at least through the trade deadline, and possibly beyond, as Angels fans hold on to the hope that the Japanese two-way star will remain with the only major league franchise he's called home.

While every team in baseball would be interested in procuring Ohtani's services, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Monday night that the Baltimore Orioles are one of the teams inquiring about Ohtani's availability.

Sources: Orioles, DBacks among teams inquiring with the Angels about Shohei Ohtani’s trade availability.

Both clubs’ interest has been described as due diligence; both teams have the young talent base conducive to making a trade.@MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2023

The Orioles are a tantalizing fit for Ohtani. Not known for spending in the way that fellow AL East teams such as the Yankees and Red Sox do, Baltimore has been one of the best stories of this season as they have surged into first place in baseball's most difficult division.

The Orioles have found success by riding a youth wave led by budding superstar Adley Rutschman. Fellow youngin Gunnar Henderson and recent call-up Jordan Westburg have also contributed, and even beyond those fresh faces, the Orioles have the top farm system in baseball.

With so many talented prospects in the pipeline, plus a real chance to compete for a World Series title this year, the Orioles should seriously consider making a blockbuster offer for Ohtani, and the Angels should listen. While it may be a tough sell to the team's fans to trade away any young players that have already contributed on the major league roster, there are still many names that could move the needle for the Angels. Here are three that they should look to acquire.

1) Shortstop Jackson Holliday, baseball's top-ranked prospect

No team in baseball could offer the Angels a prospect as highly-touted as the Orioles and Jackson Holliday. The son of former All-Star Matt Holliday, the left-handed-hitting shortstop was the #1 overall pick in last year's draft, and he's done nothing to make the baseball world think he'll be anything short of a superstar.

Only 19 years old, Holliday is a five-tool player that could be an organizational centerpiece for years to come. In less than two years in the minors, his slash line is a superb .327/.465/.504., and he's hitting over .350 since being called up to AA earlier this month.

When writing about the possibility of the New York Yankees trading for Ohtani a couple of weeks ago, we talked about another shortstop, Anthony Volpe, that could be part of the deal. The Angels have been thrilled with what they've seen from shortstop Zach Neto, but his presence shouldn't preclude the Angels from acquiring a highly rated shortstop, as they could simply move Neto to second base.

Would the Orioles be willing to part with Holliday for a rental? Probably not, but the Angels have to ask. Holliday is the rare kind of player that could minimize the bitter taste of trading Ohtani, and with Gunnar Henderson off to a great start, the Orioles could convince themselves that they're set at shortstop.

2) Orioles AAA outfielder Heston Kjerstad

Losing baseball's leading home run hitter would sting, but Heston Kjerstad is one of the top power bats in the minors. Though he has missed time in the past with a scary bout of myocarditis and a hamstring injury, his recent performance suggests that he's on the fast track to the majors.

Kjerstad was drafted second overall by the Orioles after annihilating the ball as a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks, and he did enough to win MVP of the Arizona Fall League last year. He has power to all fields, as evidenced by this blast:

Today’s #ProHogs MiLB highlight of the day: Heston Kjerstad going 2-4 with a single, a home run, an RBI, and 2 runs! pic.twitter.com/LPz788qGq5
— MaryEllen Brown (@mellen723) June 16, 2023

Kjerstad has averaged a home run per five games this year, but he's more than just a slugger, as his .324 average proves. His plate discipline for a power hitter is quite good, with just 59 strikeouts compared to 26 walks in 353 plate appearances.

Hunter Renfroe has been mentioned as another possible trade the Angels could make, and that would open a spot in right field for Kjerstad. The Angels could choose to bring him up this year, or let him get more seasoning in the minors before debuting him next year. Either way, he could be another exciting young addition to a team that already features Zach Neto, Trey Cabbage, and Logan O'Hoppe.

3) Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser

Ranked as the second-best prospect in the Orioles system, Cowser recently made his debut with the big league club. Though he's struggled in his short time in the majors, his past stats suggest that it won't be long before he starts contributing at the top level.

Cowser earned his spot in the majors by posting a .996 OPS in 56 games with AAA Norfolk this year. That included 10 home runs, and he walked nearly as often as he struck out, showing rare discipline for a 23-year-old.

Cowser is a plus defensive prospect, with MLB.com saying, "He’s shown he can play solid center field with good instincts, but long term he might be better suited in a corner, where he could be a very good defender with an above-average arm."

Cowser is the third left-handed bat we've mentioned, which makes sense if the Angels are losing Ohtani.

For the Orioles, Ohtani represents everything that could put them over the top this year. His pitching ability would instantly make him the best arm in the O's rotation, while his bat would supplement an already scary young lineup that's only getting better.

For the Angels, the Orioles have such depth in their farm system that a trade could be made that would allow Arte Moreno to sleep at night. The Orioles and Ohtani could make a championship run, while the Angels could stock up for the future. Of all the potential trade partners the Angels could explore, none are a better fit than Baltimore. Will it happen? We'll find out soon enough.

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