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

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The Los Angeles Angels haven't shown any inclination toward trading superstar Shohei Ohtani, but if the team slips out of contention, it may be the only move to salvage the future of the franchise. What could the Halos demand in a possible trade?

For as gifted as Ohtani is on the field, he may be even more enigmatic off it, at least when it comes to his intentions this offseason. Team owner Arte Moreno has seemed unwilling to trade Ohtani, even as the Angels fanbase clamors for a deal with the assumption Ohtani walks in a few months anyway.

Buster Olney recently mentioned the Yankees as the top potential suitor for Ohtani, and a deal between the top teams could make sense. In order to give up the talent the Angels would demand, the Yankees would have to feel good about Ohtani signing an extension to stay in the Bronx long-term, but that isn't the Angels problem. They can ask for the moon, and they should.

If the Angels do begin trade discussions with the Yankees, the smart bet is that they go after a handful of the Yankees most talented young players to build for the future, rather than established veterans that could help the team stay in contention in the short-term. Let's look at three of the most attractive options.

1) Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe

Ever since being drafted in the first round by the Yankees in 2019, Volpe has been on the fast track to being the next big thing in New York. The 22-year-old rookie has endured many of the ups and downs that one would expect from a rookie playing under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium, but with 13 home runs and 16 stolen bases, he's shown a combination of power and speed that would help ease the sting of losing Ohtani.

Angels fans know that they already have a promising young rookie at short in Zach Neto, but either he or Volpe could be moved to second base with little issue. Current second baseman David Fletcher has seen his production decline three years in a row, and he was even sent down to AAA for a spell earlier this year. Fletcher could move to a utility role, or be sent back down again to make room for what would be the most dynamic young middle infield in the majors.

2) Yankees AA outfielder Jasson Dominguez

To this point, the hype has outweighed the on-field production of Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez, but there's no denying that the young outfielder, known as "the Martian" for his immense physical gifts, has tantalizing potential.

Dominguez is a switch-hitter, and he has stolen 61 bases in the past year and a half. He's hit ten homers this year, and he has a plus arm in the outfield. Strikeouts have held him back, but he is a patient hitter that draws a lot of walks.

At only 20 years old, Dominguez has lots of room to grow, and the Angels could give him another year or two in the minors to develop. If he can reach even a sliver of his potential, he could end up being the top return from this trade for the Angels.

Dominguez is ranked as the #1 prospect in the Yankees organization, but by trading Ohtani, the Angels would be looking to the future anyway. New York would be reluctant to throw him into any potential trade, but the Angels would justifiably demand a haul in any Ohtani blockbuster.

3) Yankees AA catcher Austin Wells

Young studs like Adley Rutschman and Francisco Alvarez are proving that a catcher can do more than just handle a pitching staff. These guys are raking, and Yankees prospect Austin Wells could be the next in line.

Sporting a mustache that would make prime Don Mattingly proud, Wells could be another piece in this deal that could develop into a star. The left-handed-hitting catcher was drafted in the first round in 2020 after crushing it at the University of Arizona, and he's already positioned himself as the #2-ranked prospect in the Yankees organization.

Wells swings a powerful bat, swatting 20 homers last year and 12 this year. He even has plus speed for a catcher, swiping 20 bases since the start of last season. To top it off, he's also improved his defense this season, throwing out runners at double the clip of last year.

Angels fans were excited about Logan O'Hoppe's start to the season, but he's been on the shelf with a torn labrum since late April. Wells could eventually pair with O'Hoppe as a lefty-righty platoon at catcher, or with Ohtani out of town, the Angels could even play both by using one at DH.

The fact that two of the Yankees' top prospects play the same position as two of the Angels' better young players shouldn't scuttle a potential deal. Besides, the Yankees will be far from the only team interested in trading for Ohtani, so the Angels could be very choosy in what kind of return they get, whether from the Yankees or another team. Asking for the top three young players (and possibly more) for a once-in-a-lifetime player is perfectly reasonable.

Should the Angels trade Ohtani? What once seemed unthinkable now seems like the only smart baseball play. Allowing the Japanese superstar to walk with nothing but a compensatory draft pick to show for it is baseball malpractice. There are just over two weeks until the trade deadline, and what the team does in the next few games could determine the direction of this franchise for years to come.

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