Dodgers Rumors: MLB Insider Says Shohei Ohtani Done With Angels, LA Favorites to Sign Him
In the six years that Shohei Ohtani has been a member of the Los Angeles Angels, the team has not had a winning season. Because of this, Ohtani likely won’t re-sign with the Angels this offseason, according to former MLB GM and current insider at The Athletic, Jim Bowden.
"Ohtani’s time with the Angels is coming to an end. Now he’s not going to say that publicly. But it’s over. He’s spent six years with the Angels and they’ve never finished above .500. His next destination will put him back in the spotlight where he belongs."
Bowden also has the Dodgers as the favorites to sign him this upcoming offseason.
"The Dodgers worked to stay under the first luxury tax threshold ($233 million) to put themselves in better position to sign Ohtani this offseason, though an arbiter’s decision to reduce Trevor Bauer’s suspension ended up pushing them into the tax. Still, team owner Mark Walter has never let finances limit president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s efforts to make the Dodgers better, and I can’t imagine him doing so in a pursuit of Ohtani."
Since 2013, the Dodgers have been to the postseason every single year. The organization has this expectation, and always meets it.
They will spend whatever it takes to win, but they also understand developing young talent is important to have an extended winning period. Since 2012, when the current ownership took over, they've had an emphasis on creating a winning tradition.
This past offseason the Dodgers tried to keep their payroll under the first payroll tax threshold of $233 million, but it was impossible when an arbiter decided to decrease Trevor Bauer’s suspension, as Bowden points out. However, lead owner Mark Walter has never tied Andrew Friedman’s hands from improving the Dodgers because of finances. Friedman, an economics major, doesn’t spend wildly.
Since Ohtani was in high school, the Dodgers have expressed interest in bringing him to LA. While Ohtani injured his UCL and needs a procedure before he can pitch again, he will be valuable to the Dodgers. He is still the best DH in the game.
After this season, the Dodgers probably won’t re-sign JD Martinez. They have a $10 million option on Max Muncy, but even if they exercise it, he can play third base or second base.
In 2024, the Dodgers will need a DH, and hopefully, Ohtani will pitch again come 2025. During this 2023 season, the Dodgers learned that they can never have too much pitching.
Ohtani in LA seems like the perfect end to a wild 2023 year.
