Shohei Ohtani trade speculation with Los Angeles Angels includes Arizona Diamondbacks

Shohei Ohtani trade speculation continues to swirl around baseball and the Arizona Diamondbacks are not exempt from the chatter.

Especially since ESPN included the team in a story about "Hypothetical Ohtani blockbusters."

ESPN's David Schoenfield proposed that the Diamondbacks send shortstop Jordan Lawlar, outfielder Alek Thomas, RHP Slade Cecconi and LHP Yu-Min Lin to the Los Angeles Angels for Ohtani, the dynamic pitcher and outfielder who has seen rumors about his future swirl for weeks.

Schoenfield wrote of this proposed deal: "The Diamondbacks are building something really nice here, so they'll be reluctant to deal away future talent, but given Ohtani is favored to land with the Dodgers or Giants as a free agent, 2023 might actually be their best opportunity to win a division title over the next five years. Added bonus: They might be the only National League team with both the resources and motive to make a deal -- the Braves and Phillies don't have the prospects, for example, and the Dodgers could prefer to just sign Ohtani. The D-backs have two premium prospects in Lawlar and outfielder Druw Jones, and Geraldo Perdomo's breakout could allow them to include Lawlar in a deal. Thomas gives the Angels a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder who could be the next Kevin Kiermaier -- great D, good enough at the plate. That's a strong package right there, and we've included two solid pitching prospects as well."

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Thinking about Ohtani in a Diamondbacks uniform is certainly interesting for Diamondbacks fans, but is it realistic?

The MLB superstar would likely be a rental in Arizona (unless the team could somehow convince him to sign here long-term and ponied up the money required to do so), and the Diamondbacks would have to give up a lot of its young core to acquire him.

ESPN's Jeff Passan included the hypothetical Diamondbacks trade in a "Now we're talking" category, but thought that Arizona would have to give up more for the generational player.

"This is a strong offer -- and I'm still inclined to say no," Passan wrote. "While Lawlar is a top-25 prospect, some scouts have doubts that he's the sort of player around whom a deal of this magnitude could be built. Lin is a favorite, already up to Double-A having just turned 20 years old, but Thomas simply hasn't hit in 600 big league plate appearances and Cecconi is faltering in Triple-A. If you want to consider shortstops Blaze Alexander and Jansel Luis in the deal, I'd be a lot more willing to listen."

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ESPN isn't the only site to include the Diamondbacks in Ohtani speculation.

CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson included Arizona on a list of which MLB teams could need Ohtani the most.

"It would be more fun to see him wind up on one of these dark horse teams, like the Reds or Diamondbacks, for the stretch run," he wrote.

Fansided's Bransen Miller wrote that "there is a real possibility that Arizona could trade" for Ohtani.

He wrote: "For the Diamondbacks, the time is now.  This team (that is 10 games above .500) is way too talented to not make the postseason.  Acquiring a guy like Ohtani would instantly make this team a World Series favorite."

Halo Hangout interestingly had the Diamondbacks ranked No. 2 on a list of teams with the best prospects to offer the Angels in an Ohtani trade.

Zachary Rotman wrote: "Adding Ohtani to a rotation that already includes Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly would be unreal. Adding him to a lineup with the likes of Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and Christian Walker would be great for them as well. Fortunately for the Angels, they've got the prospects as well."

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Medium.com proposed a similar trade to ESPN's for Arizona to land Ohtani, with the Angels getting Thomas, Lawlar, Cecconi and infielders Ryan Bliss and Ruben Santana in the deal, writing that the team might have a shot to sign the Angeles star long term.

Ryan Ferron wrote: "With a combination of young talent and an MLB ready farm, the Diamondbacks can afford to trade for Ohtani without giving up young talent like Druw Jones. Lawlar will be expensive, but the Diamondbacks are one of the few teams I think have a shot to sign Ohtani long term, so the risk might be worth it."

Sports360az.com's Jordan Spurgeon called the idea of Arizona trading for Ohtani a dream, however.

He wrote: "Okay, this is HIGHLY unlikely, but if the organization sees this year as a championship opportunity then why not acquire the best possible rental player maybe ever? He becomes your number two pitcher and the biggest bat in your lineup (32 home runs, .302 average this season). Even though he’s a free agent at the conclusion of the season, the Angels asking price is likely way too steep. Would Hazen be willing to deal anyone outside of Corbin Carroll and Gallen? If so, this could happen, but I doubt that’s the attitude at this moment. Would Ohtani sign a contract extension? The answer is no, but winning a World Series in the valley could sway him to sign long-term. Okay, enough dreaming."

Do you think the Diamondbacks should trade for Shohei Ohtani?

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shohei Ohtani MLB trade speculation includes Diamondbacks blockbuster