Shohei Ohtani Says Dodgers’ Definition of Success Was Huge Factor in Decision

The two-way superstar has not played in the playoffs so far in his MLB career.

Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers was not a surprise, as Los Angeles appeared to be the favorites to add the two-way superstar once free agency began. Still, the Dodgers front office had to successfully recruit Ohtani—something they were able to accomplish between the end of the Angels’ season and Thursday’s introductory press conference in Los Angeles.

Speaking with reporters, Ohtani admitted there was one thing that the front office said that stood out in his decision to sign with the team. Los Angeles’s ownership group told Ohtani that, even though they’d made the playoffs in ten straight seasons, they considered the past decade a failure because they only have one World Series title.

Shohei Ohtani said that Dodgers ownership told him that even though they made the playoffs 10 straight times and won a ring, they considered the past decade a failure. He said that mindset appealed to him.

— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) December 14, 2023

In that ten-year span, the Dodgers do have three NL pennants and six total appearances in the NLCS.

Ohtani hasn’t even appeared in a playoff game even though he played for six seasons with the Angels, but the Dodgers didn’t just lean into making the playoffs in their pitch. Instead, they made it clear that they needed to win more World Series titles, especially since their only championship in the past decade was in the shortened 2020 season.

Despite the Dodgers’ lack of championships, 10 straight years in the playoffs is proof that they are one of, if not the best organization in Major League Baseball. As Ohtani wanted to go to a team that could win to combat his struggles with the Angels at the start of his career, the Dodgers made sure he knew that winning is a priority with the team.