Insider Reveals Rays Serious Interest in Acquiring Shohei Ohtani
Imagine a world where Shohei Ohtani was actually traded. Well, that almost happened.
In a May 21 article for The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Los Angeles Angels and Tampa Bay Rays were involved in serious trade discussions during the 2023 trade deadline that would've sent Ohtani to the Rays in exchange for third basemanJunior Caminero.
Shohei Ohtani, Tampa Bay Ray? The proposed 2023 deadline deal that would've shocked baseball. Unlocked and free to read. https://t.co/l5qdrJWbKw
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 21, 2026
That trade, of course, did not transpire as the Angels opted to hold onto Ohtani for the rest of the 2023 season. They would eventually see their two-way star sign a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A trade of this magnitude would've sent shockwaves all across Major League Baseball due to Ohtani's unprecedented ability to both hit for power and pitch at an elite level. Also, the Rays have never been known as a team that acquires or signs such highly touted players to long-term contracts, since they have been known to develop young players in their minor league system.
Speaking of young players, the Angels' reported interest in Caminero came during the 2023 campaign, when he was just a 19-year-old prospect playing for Tampa Bay's Double-A affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits. Rosenthal also reported that the Angels were also interested in Carson Williams, who was a 20-year-old shortstop prospect at the time playing for the High-A Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Caminero has since blossomed with the Rays since making his major league debut during the 2024 season. The now 22-year-old then compiled an incredible first full season in the big leagues last season, slashing .264/.311/.535 with 45 home runs and 110 RBI in 154 games to earn a selection to his first All-Star Game.
The young infielder has looked even better in 2026, having already slugged 13 home runs with 27 RBI, and has the Rays in first place in the American League East. Caminero also earned a bronze medal with the Dominican Republic during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Junior Caminero's power is UNREAL
— MLB (@MLB) May 2, 2026
This baseball went 432 feet and was hit 112.9 MPH! pic.twitter.com/FojRCt9gbv
It goes without saying that this potential trade would have altered both teams in a massive way, and we may not have seen the Dodgers' utter dominance over the last two seasons ever since Ohtani arrived there.
Certainly, it was no secret that teams across the league were showing their interest in Ohtani during his last two seasons with the Angels when they were not in the playoff race at the trade deadline. Based on these reports by Rosenthal, the Rays looked like the most serious pursuer even though the Angels ultimately held off.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 7:55 AM.