The St. Louis Cardinals are a perfect fit for Shohei Ohtani

SUMMARY

We’ve established how an Ohtani trade makes sense from a baseball perspective, and shown how the Cardinals have made similar moves before. But besides interest and competition from every other team in the league, there are a few complicating factors.

First, Ohtani would be by far the most expensive player the Cardinals have ever acquired. No one really knows how much a contract extension would be worth– it’s hard to gauge the value of one player who contributes like two separate all-stars. His current $30 million deal broke the record for arbitration-eligible players, and he’s likely to break every record on the open market, as well.

In addition to the monetary cost, the prospect cost would be enormous. The Angels are stuck in baseball mediocrity with one of the worst minor league systems. If they trade Ohtani, they will expect multiple top prospects in return.

Yet none of that should matter, because Ohtani is unlike any player we’ve ever seen. Not only is he talented, but I think I’ve shown how Ohtani is a perfect fit for the Cardinals– he would solve the two biggest problems facing the 2023 team as just one single player! And I have no doubt that Cardinal fans would welcome Ohtani to St. Louis with open arms, increasing the probability that one of baseball’s best players of all-time signs with the Cardinals long-term.

I’m not saying this trade is likely to happen. Honestly, just thinking about it feels a bit silly. But if there is any chance at all, John Mozeliak and Michael Girsch should go all-in on acquiring Shohei Ohtani, because opportunities like this one won’t come around again.

When you look at the areas the team needs to improve and the player’s wishes to play on a contender, it becomes quite clear: Shohei Ohtani and the St. Louis Cardinals are a match made in baseball heaven.