Which MLB Team Has the Best Shot at Landing Shohei Ohtani?

Los Angeles Angels

2017 Starting Rotation Performance: 5.5 fWAR, 4.38 ERA, 4.70 SIERA, 19.3% strikeout rate

Current Rotation: Garrett Richards, J.C. Ramirez, Matt Shoemaker, Tyler Skaggs, Parker Bridwell

Potential 2018 Impact

The Angels aren't exactly in the same spot as the Dodgers are, but they're not too shabby. After all, they did surprise with an 80-82 record and found themselves in the playoff hunt pretty late in the year. They're the only organization that has Mike Trout on their team, and their desire to perform during his current contract (he's slated for free agency through 2020) is clear after keeping Justin Upton in town.

A big difference from that other L.A. squad is the state of their starting rotation. The only hurler to throw 150-plus innings in 2017 was Ricky Nolasco, who struggled to a 4.76 SIERA in 181 frames. With Richards, the perceived ace of the staff, limited to just 62.1 innings over the past two years because of various ailments, it's no surprise as to why the Angels need Ohtani at the front of their rotation.

That collective 5.5 fWAR was the same as the Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation and better than just three other squads last year, while that 4.70 SIERA was tied for the 10th-worst mark in baseball. With a decent core group of position players in place, Los Angeles needs to make rotation upgrades in order to legitimately compete for a playoff spot.

Signing Ohtani for pennies on the dollar would not only give them that perceived upgrade but also the financial flexibility to hunt for more this winter.

Feasible Long-Term Fit?

There is undoubtedly a long-term need for Ohtani in the Angels' rotation. And even financially speaking, L.A. can probably handle it as certain contracts come off the books. However, we're all aware of his desire to also hit on a regular basis.

While the Angels being in the American League would seemingly give them an edge over the National League clubs he's considering, Albert Pujols and his contract aren't going anywhere. "The Machine" is coming off the worst year of his career and is still due $115 million through 2021.

Next season will be his age-38 campaign, and he was relegated mostly to designated hitter duties in 2017, logging just 50 innings at first base. So, not only would he still have the larger market that is Los Angeles to deal with, it could be a little more difficult to find him at-bats on a regular basis.

That's not to say the Angels can't make room for Ohtani to hit once or twice per week, but it's just another obstacle to deal with.