Shohei Ohtani isn’t officially on the trade block. Yet. But the more the Los Angeles Angels wallow in the AL West’s standings, the more it seems they’ll try to salvage something from Ohtani’s astronomical value before he likely leaves in free agency this winter.
And, yes, the New York Mets could really be a possibility for Ohtani’s future.
At least, if you believe in teasers like a recent photo franchise legend Dwight “Doc” Gooden shared on his Twitter. It features Gooden and Ohtani in black suits, smiling, with Gooden writing a simple but cryptic “eyeball emoji” caption.
Hmm. That could mean anything.
— Dwight Gooden (@DocGooden16) July 19, 2023
Does Gooden know something we don’t? Is an Ohtani trade to the Mets before the August 1st deadline in the works? That’s a lot to read into from one photo, but it certainly wouldn’t be the craziest outcome.
This was how MLB fans on Twitter reacted to Gooden's photo with Ohtani
https://t.co/WupXOkxJwG pic.twitter.com/sMnq2v7Mic
— GENY Mets Report (@genymets) July 19, 2023
oh my god he’s a met https://t.co/JRoFsgfFOi
— Shea Station (@shea_station) July 19, 2023
Doc Gooden just gave Shohei Ohtani his blessing to wear #16 for the Mets. https://t.co/aOajBcnHVx
— Ben Yoel (@Ben_Yoel) July 19, 2023
Two greatest ever to wear #16 for the Mets🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/ykvWQl2SO0
— pattyp (@PatrickPicciolo) July 19, 2023
Doc doing a little recruiting https://t.co/nsmQHnuAqL
— The Amazin' Citi (@TheAmazinCiti) July 19, 2023
Mets legend Dwight Gooden & Shohei Ohtani 👀🤔
(Via: @DocGooden16) pic.twitter.com/l8NNZRxMCC
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) July 19, 2023
Doc Gooden recruiting Shohei Ohtani to the Mets??🍎#Mets | #MLB https://t.co/PoN3asOfjw
— BetUS MLB ⚾ (@BetUS_MLB) July 19, 2023
Dwight Gooden 🤝 Shohei Ohtani
Winning a championship with the New York Yankees
— Rodon’s Mustache (@Rodonsmustache) July 19, 2023