NEW YORK — The Yankees could give the ultimate boost to their lineup and rotation — by acquiring Shohei Ohtani.
The list of teams interested in adding the Angels pitcher/slugger, an impending free agent, before the Aug. 1 trade deadline starts with New York, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
“In talking with sources (Wednesday), they see the Yankees as potentially being the most motivated because Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, they’re middle-aged players right in the prime of their careers,” Olney said Thursday on “Get Up.”
“This is the Yankees’ window to win now. You bring in Ohtani, suddenly that Yankees rotation with him involved looks so strong. Ohtani hitting in Yankee Stadium, which favors left-handed sluggers, that’s something I’m sure the Yankees would be willing to pay for if Ohtani is made available by the Angels.”
Ohtani leads all MLB batters with 32 home runs while pitching to a 3.32 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 100 1/3 innings.
The Angels have not indicated they would trade the 2021 AL MVP but, at 45-46, sit in fourth place in the AL West and recently lost fellow superstar Mike Trout to a fractured hamate bone.
The Yankees are 49-42 and a game out of the final AL wild-card spot.
The 29-year-old Ohtani would elevate a Yankees lineup that finished the first half 28th in team batting average and 19th in runs. Judge, who hit an AL-record 62 home runs last season to win the 2022 MVP over Ohtani, hasn’t played since June 3 due to an injured big toe.
Ohtani would also help a Yankees rotation that’s been without Frankie Montas all season and only recently got back Carlos Rodon. Luis Severino, who also missed nearly two months due to injury, has a 7.38 ERA.
Olney listed the Rays and Rangers as teams also interested in Ohtani, who is expected to command more than $500 million this offseason.
