Dodgers Rumors: Shohei Ohtani in Blue By This Summer? One Analyst Thinks So
The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing to redeem themselves in 2023 after a disappointing and rather embarrassing ending to their 2022 campaign.
The Boys in Blue will take the "youth movement" route this season while being led by their superstar duo of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
Even though they lost a ton this past offseason, the Dodgers remain one of the very best teams in the league.
What's scary is LA can be even better when we hit the trade deadline. Bleacher Report's Brandon Scott predicted where top players could land before the end of the season, and Scott has Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani donning the Dodger blue before the end of the season.
The Dodgers sort of shock the world, but not really.Ohtani-to-the-Dodgers predictions already exist, but it will still be a shock to the system to see him trade the other L.A. franchise's colors for the legendary Dodger blue and white.Adding Burnes and Ohtani would completely change the World Series conversation at the deadline.Ohtani has already communicated his desire to play for a contender and has been non-committal to his long-term future with the Angels.At spring training, Ohtani said he does believe the Angels are committed to winning. The question is whether it finally pans out.As backbreaking as it seems to trade a once-in-a-lifetime player like Ohtani, it's becoming more obvious he sees a brighter future elsewhere. One would also have to assume a trade package for Ohtani, commensurate with his rare ability, would be historic.
As Scott said, the links between LA and Ohtani have been there for a while now, and it's no secret that the Dodgers would love to have the Japanese sensation.
However, the price would be astronomical if LA were to package a deal for Ohtani. The righty ace and lefty slugger is projected to be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and will most likely leave Orange County.
LA is among the favorites to land Shohei, but nothing is set in stone. Rival San Diego Padres, among other NL teams, will pursue Ohtani, and the race will be tight.
If LA could pull off an Ohtani trade by the deadline, their championship odds would skyrocket, as the Dodgers are already a really good team without the pitcher/slugger.
Scott also had Corbin Burnes in Dodger blue in 2023, as things between Burnes and the Brewers are in ruins.
Bookies.com has Ohatni to the dodgers as the third-best odds at +450, behind the two New York teams.
It'll once again be another insane and interesting MLB deadline.
Buckle up, Dodger fans.
