If the Los Angeles Angels trade Shohei Ohtani (29), he will not be sent to the “local rival” Los Angeles Dodgers.

“If Ohtani is moved at the trade deadline, he won’t be staying in California,” MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), reported on Aug. 18.

“Angels owner Arte Moreno is reluctant to trade Ohtani to a team with California ties,” the report added.

In other words, the Angels will not negotiate a trade for Ohtani with the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, or San Francisco Giants, all of whom have California ties.

Ohtani, who has become a major league superstar, is eligible for free agency after this season.

The Angels would love to keep him, but his history of not winning is a major obstacle to re-signing him. Ohtani hasn’t made the postseason since breaking into the majors in 2018, and it’s looking increasingly likely that he won’t play fall ball this season either.

Local media outlets are reporting that the Angels could use Ohtani as a trade chip before the Aug. 2 trade deadline. 메이저놀이터

MLB.com reports, “There’s a 25 percent chance Ohtani will be traded. There is only a 5 to 10 percent chance the Angels re-sign him in free agency.”

The outlet went on to mention the Baltimore Orioles as a possible destination for Ohtani.

The Orioles are in second place in the American League East with a 57-35 record through 17 games. They are just one game behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays (60-36).

The Orioles are based in Maryland, which is on the opposite side of the country from California.