Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers Era: A New Beginning or a Missed Prime?
When the Los Angeles Dodgers secured Shohei Ohtani on a 10-year, $700 million deal, it wasn’t just a blockbuster signing—it was validation for team president Stan Kasten. The Dodgers had pursued Ohtani for years, missing out in 2017 when he chose the Los Angeles Angels. But this time, Kasten wasn’t about to let history repeat itself.
“I said, ‘Don’t make the same mistake,’ and he just laughed.”
That was Kasten’s pitch to Ohtani—more than a sales pitch, it was a plea to his ambitions.
The Angels struggled to capitalize on Ohtani’s prime, failing to surround him with the right talent to contend for titles. Meanwhile, the Dodgers built a winning culture, competing for championships year after year. Ohtani’s dreams of winning, pushing his limits, and expanding his global influence aligned perfectly with what the Dodgers could offer.
Even when false reports surfaced about Ohtani flying to Toronto, Kasten remained unconvinced. “That didn’t make sense to me, given what I knew about Shohei and his goals.”
Did the Angels Waste Ohtani’s Prime?
The debate is already raging:
Was Ohtani’s prime wasted in Anaheim?
Or is his true legacy just beginning with the Dodgers?
During his six years with the Angels, Ohtani put up historic numbers:
Two AL MVP awards (2021, 2023)
A 44-homer, 95-RBI season in 2023
A 3.01 ERA over 132 innings before injury
Yet, the Angels never reached the postseason during his tenure. Despite Ohtani’s individual brilliance, they lacked the roster depth to support his two-way dominance.
A New Chapter in Dodger Blue
Ohtani has been welcomed with open arms in Los Angeles. He’s not just the hardest worker—he’s also one of the most popular figures in the clubhouse.
“To have your best player be your hardest worker and also your most popular player, that’s rare,” Kasten noted. “And we have a couple of guys like that. It’s a great time in our franchise’s history.”
But the biggest storyline ahead is Ohtani’s return to pitching.
The Road Back to the Mound
After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, Ohtani’s two-way status is on hold. The Dodgers have halted his bullpen sessions, and he won’t face live hitters during Spring Training.
For now, there’s no rush—but when he’s ready, Ohtani’s return as a pitcher could transform the Dodgers from contenders to an unstoppable force.
“We’re taking the right steps, and when he’s ready, it’s going to be something special.”
Ohtani has done this before. After his first Tommy John surgery in 2018, he returned in 2021 and put up an MVP season. If history repeats itself, he could redefine greatness once again.
Will Ohtani’s Move to the Dodgers Unlock His Full Potential?
The Dodgers believe so.
Whether he returns to the mound in 2025 or waits until 2026, the franchise is confident that Ohtani will continue to be as electrifying as ever.
Do you agree? Did the Angels waste Ohtani’s prime, or is his true legacy just beginning in Los Angeles?