The Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly have a bold offseason plan that would see them sign American League MVP Shohei Ohtani and then trade for an 11-time All-Star.
Last winter offered a star-studded free agent market that included AL Cy Young Justin Verlander, Carlos Correa, Jacob DeGrom, and Yankees star Aaron Judge. While this year’s class is far less impressive it will still be a consistent headline-maker because, arguably, the greatest player to ever hit the market will be up for grabs this offseason.
Related: Do the Los Angeles Dodgers have upper hand in adding top MLB free agent?
Despite recently undergoing Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career, Angels star Shohei Ohtani is expected to land the biggest contract in North American sports history when one of his many suitors likely gives him a deal worth over half a billion.
Along with the Mets, Yankees, and Giants, the Dodgers are viewed as a contender for the Japanese All-Star and many around the league see them as the favorite in the race. Yet, a new report claims that just adding an elite talent like Ohtani to a first-place team may not be enough for the Dodgers over the next few months.
Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly targeting shocking trade for Mike Trout
Recently, MLB insider Hector Gomez offered up a stunning update on some massive plans Los Angeles has this winter.
“The Dodgers will be very aggressive looking to sign two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and get 11-time All-Star center fielder Mike Trout via trade,” Gomez wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “They are willing to give up their best prospects in exchange for landing Trout.”
Mike Trout has seven seasons left on the 12-year, $426 million deal he signed before the 2019 season.
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly optimistic about signing top priority in MLB free agency
After winning the World Series during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers have won the NL West in two of the last three seasons and tallied 100 or more wins in those seasons. However, the team has not returned to the World Series in that time and was eliminated in the Divisional Round in the last two years.
Clearly, the disappointing results for what is consistently one of the highest payrolls in the sport have emboldened the organization to try and make some big moves this winter after being mostly quiet last offseason.
