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Dodgers’ mock trade for Shohei Ohtani from ‘The Athletic’ is beyond insane

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels runs to third base after hitting a triple against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 4-1. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels runs to third base after hitting a triple against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 4-1. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Did we not get the memo that there’s now a “Los Angeles Dodgers Tax” on the trade market? Has MLB changed overnight? Because what The Athletic proposed for LA to surrender in a Shohei Ohtani trade with the Angels is out of this world.

Out of the nine teams that were in the article featuring trade scenarios for Ohtani, it’s not even debatable the haul coming from the Dodgers was the most prohibitive.

Maybe this is payback for the Dodgers seemingly underpaying or outright winning trades they make with most other teams during the Andrew Friedman era? OK, if that’s the case, fans will understand.

But the Dodgers’ front office knows better. And even if they were Ohtani’s top destination, it’s hard to believe Friedman would pay this price, even with a commitment from the two-way star beyond the 2023 season.

Why? Because the Dodgers have arguably the best scouting and talent evaluating departments in the league. Why in the world would they trade SEVEN players for one?!

The Athletic’s trade proposal for the Dodgers to land Shohei Ohtani is ridiculous

Dodgers get:

  • Shohei Ohtani

Angels get:

  • No. 2 prospect Bobby Miller
  • No. 3 prospect Miguel Vargas
  • No. 4 prospect Michael Busch
  • No. 5 prospect Andy Pages
  • No. 6 prospect Ryan Pepiot
  • No. 11 prospect Landon Knack
  • No. 14 prospect Maddux Bruns

Ohtani is a two-way player — not five separate players knocking on the door of the big league roster! The Dodgers’ also have a depth issue, so parting with someone like Vargas (who’s expected to slide in and eventually take over for Justin Turner, who’s option was declined), Michael Busch (who has the versatility to play multiple positions at a high level), and FOUR pitchers (when their starting rotation and bullpen are decimated) seems unhinged.

One could argue all the prospects are unproven commodities. And that wouldn’t necessarily be an incorrect assessment. But the Dodgers’ usually have their most coveted young assets either reach their full potential or become serviceable major league contributors who carve out roles on active rosters.

Even with an extension for Ohtani, the Dodgers are going to part with four top-five prospects and seven (overall) top-14 prospects and then pay him a record-setting contract? Even with Knack and Bruns as throw-ins after their disappointing 2022 seasons, all of Miller, Vargas, Busch, Pages and Pepiot are either nearing their MLB debuts or have made them with success.

That sure seems like the steepest price of any team on this list. What do you think?

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