The Three Words That Tell You How Close Shohei Ohtani Was To Leaving the Angels in 2023

Hold up, 12s, you are NOT going to believe what just surfaced from the depths of baseball's past. We're talking about a bombshell that makes you rethink *everything* about the 2023 trade deadline. Apparently, the Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays "seriously discussed" a blockbuster trade involving Shohei Ohtani and Junior Caminero! My jaw is still on the floor, dude. Seriously discussed? Like, this wasn't just some casual chat at the water cooler. This was real.

The Blockbuster That Almost Was

Let's rewind to the 2023 deadline. While we were all focused on what our own Mariners were doing, or *not* doing, to gear up for a run, the Angels and Rays were apparently playing high-stakes poker with one of the biggest names in the game. The source dropped this absolute truth bomb: they "seriously discussed" a deal to send Shohei Ohtani packing. And who was coming back? None other than Junior Caminero, the Rays' infielder. Think about that for a second. The sheer magnitude of moving Ohtani, at that time, would have rattled the entire league, especially our AL West. It was a deal of truly "blockbuster" proportions, and it was apparently *that close* to happening.

Shaking Up the AL West, Even in Hindsight

I mean, can you even imagine if this trade went down? Ohtani, arguably the most electrifying player baseball has ever seen, getting shipped out of the AL West to the Rays. It would have completely reshaped the landscape. While it didn't directly involve our beloved Mariners, any move of that caliber involving a division rival like the Angels sends tremors through the whole league. It just goes to show you how quickly things can change, how close these mega-deals are to reality, and how every team is always looking for that game-changing move. It's wild to think what a different league we might have seen if those discussions had gone just a little further. It’s a reminder that even the biggest stars are always potentially on the move. This revelation, even in hindsight, just underscores the constant churn and potential for chaos in MLB. But hey, it also reminds us that our Mariners are here, grinding every single night in the Emerald City. As we push through this early part of the season, every single game our guys play at T-Mobile Park matters. We've got Cal Raleigh absolutely mashing and Julio Rodriguez out there making highlight plays. Let's keep that energy up for our guys and see what they bring to the field next. Go M's!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.