5 offseason pivots Dodgers can make after Shohei Ohtani injury

Even though analysts and insiders don't think the pursuit of Shohei Ohtani will be drastically affected by his elbow injury that may require Tommy John surgery and knock him out until 2025, the reality is that the Los Angeles Dodgers have now seen their plans for 2024 and 2025 completely upended.

If their intention was to throw whatever amount of money it took to bring in Ohtani under the assumption he'd remain a dominant star for the next 3-4 years before regression/injuries started to hamper his performance, then the short-term World Series window the front office envisioned has very much been compromised.

But this is still a World Series contending roster, even with the amount of Dodgers expected to hit free agency this offseason. This team doesn't need Ohtani, but it definitely needs support in the form of what Ohtani would've been able to offer as an ace and lefty slugger.

Whether the Dodgers sign Ohtani or not, at least three other blockbuster-esque moves can be pursued to improve their 2024-2025 fortunes. But we've identified five in total, with a couple reserved for the possibility of Ohtani no longer being in LA's plans.

5 offseason pivots Dodgers can make after Shohei Ohtani injury

Trade for Juan Soto

This one's first because it's the least likely. The Padres probably won't even dare to trade Soto to their division rival ... but what if the Dodgers offer the best prospect package to help San Diego replenish its farm system after they whiffed at capitalizing at the trade deadline? Plus, Soto is a free agent after 2024, so there's no guarantee he remains in LA long-term.

This impact move would give the Dodgers a true starting outfield of Soto, James Outman and Mookie Betts (and they can stop platooning left field). Soto's powerful left-handed bat checks another box, and the fact that he's an on-base machine is a dream for the rest of the run producers in LA's lineup.

Bottom line? Never rule anything out until it's officially no longer a possibility.

Inquire About Mike Trout Trade

If the Angels are losing Ohtani and have completely cratered since buying at the trade deadline ... what's their end game in keeping Mike Trout? Just to remain the home for one of the best players in the sport (who, by the way, has been more injured than not the last three seasons)?

After this year, Trout will have seven more seasons of a $35 million AAV salary remaining on his contract. This would more than likely be a move if the Dodgers pivot away from Ohtani, because Trout plus a top pitcher would probably hit the budget for Andrew Friedman and Co.

The trade package probably wouldn't be too crazy given the money attached to Trout and his recent ailments that have kept him off the field. The Dodgers can shift Outman to left field in this scenario to make room for Trout in center for the next few seasons. If acquired, the Dodgers would be getting Trout for his age-32-through-38 seasons, so they'd need a plan to adjust for his latter years.

In the short-term, a trio of Trout, Betts and Freddie Freeman in the middle of the Dodgers lineup would be objectively lethal, as long as Trout can stay healthy. Probably not likely, but something to consider if the well runs dry for big-time impact moves.

Sign Blake Snell and/or Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Blake Snell is the NL Cy Young frontrunner and he kills the Dodgers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is reportedly being scouted by LA as he prepares for a move from Japan to MLB. Why not one of these two if the Dodgers can't keep both Kershaw and Urías?

Snell would be a formidable lefty replacement should one of those Dodgers legends depart, while Yamamoto would be a bit more cost effective (think Kodai Senga's five-year, $75 million contract with the Mets) and could be a smart addition if an Ohtani signing is still on the table.

Pitching is always going to come at a premium, but Snell is entering his age-31 season and Yamamoto has no experience playing in MLB, which would theoretically make Snell cheaper than Urías and Yamamoto cheaper than the average top-end starter.

Which then has us wondering ... why not both?! Dustin May seems destined for a bullpen role after his second straight elbow injury, while Tony Gonsolin is phasing himself out of LA with poor performances and constant health issues. A nice two-for-one deal here could help the Dodgers get right with their rotation for the foreseeable future.

Trade for Corbin Burnes (and Willy Adames?!)

This offseason will be a big one for the Brew Crew, especially depending upon how they finish the 2023 season. They currently lead the NL Central and should make the playoffs, but a lot of questions about their future remain.

Both Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames are controllable through 2024, but the organization ticked off Burnes with its arbitration tactics, and Adames is in the midst of a down year Milwaukee probably won't be keen on paying for when the time comes. Could the Dodgers strike a different kind of two-for-one deal and address the rotation and shortstop position?

With Gavin Lux returning, the Dodgers might be more open to playing him at second base following his torn ACL, which could slide Adames right to shortstop. That could leave third base open for Miguel Vargas if he gets his feet under him before the 2024 campaign. Then Michael Busch can be the utility option off the bench with Max Muncy shifting to the DH role? We're just spitballing.

Burnes is a much easier sell. He slots right into the front of the rotation and gives the Dodgers instant relief, should they lose production there ... or he fortifies it if the Dodgers have everything fall their way. Honestly, this trade should be on the table even if Ohtani is signed because it'll only cost the Dodgers prospects ... plenty of whom would be blocked by these various hypothetical offseason additions.

Ohtani's injury is definitely bleak, but the Dodgers can shift their attention in a multitude of ways to build another winner for 2024.