Arte Moreno Rejected Rays' 2023 Ohtani Offer for 2 Top Prospects
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 21
Arte Moreno Rejected Rays' 2023 Ohtani Offer for 2 Top Prospects
6 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · May 21
August 2023 trade talks would have sent Shohei Ohtani to Tampa Bay for Junior Caminero and Carson Williams, then the Rays' No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, with the club willing to add more.
Moreno kept Ohtani instead as the Angels sat 56-51 and still viewed themselves as playoff contenders, then doubled down by trading away prospects for short-term help before the deadline.
17-38 was the Angels' record after Aug. 1, finishing 73-89; Ohtani's pitching season ended with injury, and he left that winter for a $700 million deal with the Dodgers.
The Angels ultimately got only the No. 74 pick in the 2024 draft as compensation, while Caminero has since emerged as one of baseball's more prolific young power hitters.
Was the failed Ohtani trade the luckiest moment in Rays history, saving them from a superstar's massive injury?
Could the two prospects the Angels rejected for Ohtani have single-handedly saved the franchise from its current historic collapse?
How did one owner's decision create a Dodgers dynasty while sinking his own team to baseball's worst record?
The $700 Million Mistake: How the Angels Lost Shohei Ohtani for Nothing and Missed a Franchise-Altering Trade
Overview
As of May 2026, the baseball world shows a sharp divide between teams once involved in Shohei Ohtani trade talks. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays both enjoy strong organizational health, with the Dodgers benefiting from Ohtani’s superstar hitting and MVP-level performance. In contrast, the Los Angeles Angels continue to struggle with player development, especially in building pitching talent. The Angels’ decision not to trade Ohtani in 2023 left them with nothing when he left in free agency, while the Rays and Dodgers have built deep, talented rosters. This highlights the lasting impact of missed opportunities and effective team management.