Shohei Ohtani rumors: 3 teams already licking their chops for free agency
By Scott Rogust
Shohei Ohtani rumors: 3 teams already licking their chops for free agency, No. 2: Los Angeles Dodgers
Much like the Mets, you can’t count out the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have shown over the years that they are going to be in the market for top-tier talent. Look at last offseason, where they were able to pry away Freddie Freeman from the Atlanta Braves. Not to mention they made some big splash moves at trade deadlines, such as acquiring Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals in the 2021 season.
But this offseason, the Dodgers didn’t make any big splashes. They sat and watched as Turner signed an 11-year, $300 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. What they did do was sign outfielder J.D. Martinez and starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard to one-year deals, and acquire shortstop Miguel Rojas, who is under contract for the next two seasons.
While the Dodgers didn’t make a run at the big names in free agency this winter, can you really rule them out from attempting to sign Ohtani if he were to become available? Regardless of how the 2023 season goes, whether they make it to the World Series or fall short of winning it all, expect the Dodgers to make an offer to Ohtani to attempt to keep him in the state of California, but trading in the Angels’ red for the Dodgers’ blue.