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The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been a powerhouse in Major League Baseball, known for their willingness to spend, their deep farm system, and their relentless pursuit of championships. In recent seasons, the front office has consistently made bold moves to keep the team competitive, but even by their lofty standards, rumors of a proposed \$260 million blockbuster trade involving Shohei Ohtani sent shockwaves through the baseball world. The idea of a three-team deal that would bring Ohtani back to the Dodgers—this time as both an elite pitcher and a fearsome designated hitter—has set the baseball world on fire, even if the deal ultimately hasn’t happened yet. The mere possibility of such a transaction shows how far the Dodgers might be willing to go to dominate the postseason and reshape the trajectory of their franchise for the next decade.
The proposed trade would mark a revolutionary shift in strategy for the Dodgers, who are already operating with a payroll north of \$400 million. Despite acquiring big names like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and even international sensation Roki Sasaki, there’s a lingering belief that the team’s pitching staff lacks the depth and resilience needed for a deep playoff run. Ohtani, who’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t pitched competitively in 2025, would still represent a massive addition as a two-way superstar. The Dodgers’ pitching has been tested by injuries and inconsistencies, and the idea of slotting Ohtani into a future rotation with Yamamoto, Glasnow, and potentially another top-tier arm acquired via trade has captivated analysts and fans alike.
From a talent perspective, Ohtani is a generational unicorn. No other player in the modern era has been able to produce at elite levels on both the mound and at the plate. In his 2023 MVP season, Ohtani led the league in slugging while also striking out more than 200 batters. Although he hasn’t pitched in 2025 due to his rehab, the reports from team sources suggest he’s on track for a return next year. In the meantime, his offensive production remains elite, and he would instantly become the most dangerous hitter in the Dodgers’ already-stacked lineup. Adding Ohtani would give Los Angeles unmatched flexibility, allowing them to adjust the rotation or batting order almost at will.
But what makes this rumored deal truly compelling is the proposed structure. Rather than a direct trade between the Dodgers and the Angels—a scenario that seems unlikely due to longstanding tensions and organizational pride—reports suggest that a third team could act as an intermediary. This third party would receive some of the Dodgers’ top prospects and flip additional assets to the Angels, helping them extract fair value while avoiding the PR nightmare of sending a homegrown superstar to a crosstown rival. Potential partners like the Miami Marlins or the Chicago White Sox could absorb players such as Michael Busch, Diego Cartaya, or Bobby Miller and re-route other prospects or MLB-ready players to Anaheim. In this way, the Dodgers get Ohtani, the Angels get a haul, and the third team gets valuable pieces for their own rebuild.
The cost, of course, would be astronomical. Estimates suggest the Dodgers would need to part with six to eight elite prospects, including high-end arms and promising hitters. Names like Cartaya, Busch, Miller, Nick Nastrini, Thayron Liranzo, and Kyle Hurt have all been floated as potential pieces in such a deal. That’s a lot of future talent to sacrifice, but for a player of Ohtani’s caliber—especially one who can deliver wins on both sides of the ball—it might just be worth it. The Dodgers have shown time and time again that they’re willing to push chips in when the opportunity presents itself, and they have the farm system depth to absorb a significant hit.
Still, significant barriers remain. Angels owner Arte Moreno has historically refused to deal with the Dodgers, reportedly even going so far as to dismiss trade packages without review simply because they came from the other side of town. This type of personal animosity, while not uncommon in professional sports, adds a layer of complication that no amount of prospects can necessarily overcome. Furthermore, Ohtani has a full no-trade clause in his \$700 million contract, giving him the right to veto any move. It’s unclear whether he would approve a midseason trade, especially with the postseason looming and his brand closely tied to both teams in Southern California.
Timing is another factor. Ohtani is under contract for the long haul, and while the structure of his deal defers much of his salary into future years, that financial flexibility actually works in the Dodgers’ favor. They may prefer to keep their prospect capital and simply build around Ohtani organically, rather than rushing a massive deal at the deadline. With the 2025 postseason approaching and the Dodgers comfortably in playoff position, the front office may ultimately determine that a smaller move—such as acquiring bullpen help or a controllable starter—is more pragmatic than gutting the farm for a superstar already slated to be on their books.
Despite the logistical hurdles, the idea of a Shohei Ohtani deadline deal remains tantalizing. It captures the imagination because it represents the ultimate power play: one of baseball’s most successful franchises acquiring the sport’s most dynamic player in a high-stakes, high-drama trade. It would reshape the playoff picture overnight, give the Dodgers an overwhelming rotation, and likely strike fear into every National League contender. For fans, the mere prospect of seeing Ohtani take the mound in Dodger Blue, perhaps in a crucial Game 7 at Chavez Ravine, is enough to spark endless speculation and debate.
The potential rotation with Ohtani added is simply absurd: Yamamoto, Glasnow, Ohtani, and possibly Sandy Alcantara if a three-team structure brought him in as well. That’s a playoff nightmare for any opposing lineup. With Ohtani serving as both a starter and an offensive centerpiece, the Dodgers would essentially be adding two elite players with one transaction. His presence also lessens the pressure on others in the lineup and pitching staff, allowing more strategic rest and matchup exploitation during the postseason grind.
The Dodgers’ front office has earned a reputation for being both aggressive and calculated. They don’t chase headlines for the sake of it; their trades are grounded in value and long-term vision. This rumored deal, while audacious, fits that profile if you believe Ohtani will be a full-time two-way player again in 2026 and beyond. Los Angeles isn’t just playing for October—they’re building dynasties. Adding Ohtani in this way, even at great cost, could secure a championship window that extends deep into the next decade.
If there’s one element that might ultimately scuttle the deal, it’s the simple reality of human ego and franchise pride. Moreno may be unwilling to concede even a symbolic win to the Dodgers. The idea of Ohtani lifting a World Series trophy in Dodger Blue so soon after leaving Anaheim is likely too bitter a pill to swallow. That’s why the third team is so critical: it offers a loophole, a path around ego and optics. Still, coordinating a trade of this magnitude involving three teams, hundreds of millions in salary, and the most famous player in the game is a logistical nightmare.
As the deadline passes with no deal confirmed, fans are left to dream about what could have been. The idea of a \$260 million blockbuster that redefines pitching staffs, alters rivalries, and cements legacies will live on in speculation. Whether this move is dead for now or simply delayed until the offseason remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the Dodgers are not done swinging big. If the stars align, and if front offices find the courage to broker the most significant trade of the decade, Shohei Ohtani in Dodger Blue could go from rumor to reality—and baseball would never be the same again.
