As Fox’s MLB coverage unfolded in Seattle three weeks ago — with the All-Star Game and plenty of Shohei Ohtani buzz — Alex Rodriguez posed a strange strategy for how the Angels could win a World Series in five years.
It involved trading Ohtani and Mike Trout, and, incorrectly, trying to stockpile draft picks, even though that can’t happen in MLB.
And on an episode of “The Bret Boone Podcast” released earlier this week, Rodriguez tried again to claim the Angels should acquire draft picks as part of an “enormous package” for Ohtani ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
“I think here’s the thought that I would think about,” Rodriguez said. “If I was the Angels, I would want to get a bunch of draft picks. I’d want to load up my farm system.”
The Angels announced — in an unofficial way, but perhaps more emphatic than a press release or statement — that an Ohtani deal wouldn’t happen by acquiring Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox late Wednesday.
It was a signal that the Angels would be buyers instead of sellers, and the first glimpse of their attempt to improve the roster and make a postseason run before Ohtani becomes a free agent this offseason.
At the time Rodriguez and Boone recorded the podcast episode, it appears that the Angels’ approach was still unknown, and Rodriguez said any team acquiring the two-way star would want to try and sign him ahead of time — eliminating the potential for him as a two-month rental — while the Angels should also ask their trade partner to take on a poor contract.
“So if I can unload a few, or one big one, and take that off the books, plus refurnish my minor-league system, get some draft picks and get maybe a piece or two, now you got something,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez, who The Hollywood Reporter revealed is “closing in” on leaving ESPN and working for Fox Sports exclusively, wasn’t the only person to confuse MLB’s policy about draft picks, either.
FS1’s Colin Cowherd, who later called himself a “baseball casual,” said that the Angels should command “five first-round picks, your best prospect, your third-best prospect and two solid starters” in exchange for Ohtani.
Then, he found out live that trading draft picks can’t happen.
Since the Angels became buyers, Ohtani pitched a complete game to start a doubleheader and then blasted two homers in the second game Thursday.
