Cardinals: St. Louis listed as potential destination for these 3 stars

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on June 23, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 23: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth inning at Busch Stadium on June 23, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
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Shohei Ohtani #17 and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels pose for a photo with Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani #17 and Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels pose for a photo with Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

Shohei Ohtani

I recently wrote about how the Cardinals would be the perfect trade destination for Mike Trout, but the trade that will likely happen first is that of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani is one of the most unique talents we have ever seen, providing the Angels with a Cy Young level ace and MVP level bat in their lineup. It’s like trading for Max Scherzer and Yordan Alvarez, but in the form of one player.

If it wasn’t for one of the greatest hitting seasons of all-time by Aaron Judge, Ohtani would be on his way to back to back MVPs. He is slashing .266/.357/.534 with 34 HR and 89 RBI at the plate and dominating on the mound with a 2.43 ERA and 196 SO in just 148 innings of work.

Ohtani will surely require a trade package similar to, it not more than, what the Nationals got in return for Juan Soto. If the Cardinals are serious about going all-in for 2023, Ohtani would be the best possible addition to their squad. He would provide St. Louis with the legit ace they are lacking, as well as a third star level bat their lineup.

This trade of the three seems the most unlikely though, as Ohtani is a free agent after 2023 and will surely look to sign with a team on the west or east coast. The prospect package is far too great for a guy who will likely leave St. Louis, but if the Angels don’t get what they want from other teams, St. Louis may be in play.