Shohei Ohtani is the hottest player on the market right now and a surprise contender has entered the chat and says they won't rule out a trade for him.

Ohtani is expected to enter free agency this offseason. If he makes it there. As of a couple of days ago, the Los Angeles Angels were in "listening mode" for potential trade offers for Ohtani. The team has once again fallen below .500 and will likely miss another post-season.

Any team in all of baseball would be interested in acquiring a talent like Ohtani, who is likely on his way toward his second MVP season. The best team in the American League right now has also made it known they haven't ruled out a trade for Ohtani.

Rays won't rule out Shohei Ohtani trade

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in the AL and have been arguably the best team all year long. In addition to that, they're a team that has been linked to relocation. The problem is if Ohtani is dealt via trade, it isn't his choice where he ends up. Unless he is traded to a team where he wants to stay long-term wherever he goes is a rental. So if you're the Rays it makes total sense. It improves their starting pitching and gives them one of the best hitters in all of baseball all in one player.

Looking at some of the Rays' top prospects on MLB.com, Junior Caminero, Carson Williams, Curtis Mead, Kyle Manzardo, and Mason Montgomery are all a season or two away from the big leagues. It would be a tough trade to pull off for Ohtani.

The Rays are a surprise contender and a longshot at best, but it's interesting to think about how a deal for Ohtani could work. There will likely be plenty of teams also expressing their interest as we inch closer to the August 1 trade deadline.