The Los Angeles Angels have reportedly turned down multiple chances to trade superstar Shohei Ohtani for a big trade. The Angels were unlikely to retain Ohtani, who they didn’t want to re-sign for the huge deal he went on to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he missed an opportunity to get something back for the American League by twice. MVP.

The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres were three of the teams eyeing a trade for Ohtani in 2022. The three teams would each have to give up a number of prospects for Ohtani, who could have left them on Angels. in a better position for the future.

The Padres were reportedly in the “best position” to trade for Ohtani, according to Jon Heyman of New York Post. The Padres ended up trading for Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals, sending CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, Robert Hassell, James Wood, Jarlín Susana and Luke Voit to the Nationals in exchange for the superstar. The Padres reportedly were interested in giving up even more for Ohtani, but ended up trading for Soto after the Angels shut down any trade possibilities.

The Padres would make the postseason after Soto joined the team, but failed to return the following season in 2023. San Diego would go on to trade Soto to the Yankees after the 2023 season. The Angels didn’t even make the playoffs with Ohtani still on the team in 2022 and 2023 and still looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Ohtani would win his second MVP award with the Angels in 2023 before opting to become a free agent once his contract with the Angels expired. Ohtani decided to sign with the Dodgers, who acquired Ohtani long-term without giving up a significant number of prospects. He agreed to a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2024 season.

In his first season with the Dodgers, Ohtani hit a record 54 home runs. He became the first player in MLB history to hit over 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season as the Angels battled their way to a franchise record of 63–99.

The former longtime Angels pitcher has died