That's because they've been gearing up for a run at Shohei, and even league players believe that's where he will end up. When it comes to committed payroll for 2024, the Dodgers rank just 16th. The Los Angeles Dodgers have had interest in Ohtani since his days in Japan and have loads of talent they could move. He may be one of the more transcendent starts of the last century, but he yas yet to play in a postseason game. Ohtani, it appears from many angles, is ready for a fresh start. This could be the biggest free agency bidding war ever. Only the biggest of the big boys can apply. Can the Angels really afford three of the top five? Probably not.
Rendon and Trout rank third and fourth in MLB, respectively, in annual base salary. And lest we forget, the oft-injured Anthony Rendon, who hasn't played more than 58 games in any of his three full seasons in L.A., is tied up through 2026 at a rate of $38.5 million per year. Mike Trout is locked up through 2030 at a rate of $37.1 million per year.
Los Angeles already has two players making major money.
