Shohei Ohtani breaks silence on backlash over Dodgers’ lavish spending spree

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Backs Team's Lavish Spending Spree Amid Criticism

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has broken his silence on the team's massive spending spree during the offseason, saying that he believes it's good for baseball. In an interview with NBC News, Ohtani expressed his support for the ownership group's decision to spend heavily on talent, citing the benefits of attracting top players and putting out a winning product on the field.

Ohtani specifically praised the signings of All-Stars Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, calling them "exciting" moves. He also acknowledged that he had discussed these plans with the ownership group before signing his own massive $700 million deal in 2023. According to Ohtani, the team's goal is to win as many World Series championships as possible, and he feels a sense of pressure but also enjoyment knowing that the team has the potential to bring home a title.

While some opposing fans have claimed that the Dodgers' spending spree is ruining baseball, Ohtani disagrees. He believes that the money invested by the ownership group is being used wisely to sign top players and put out a competitive product on the field.

In fact, the Dodgers' spending spree has been notable for its sheer scale. During the 2023-24 offseason alone, they spent over $1.2 billion, with Ohtani's deal being one of the largest in MLB history. Their projected tax payroll for 2026 is expected to be around $396 million.

Ohtani's comments have been seen as a tacit endorsement of the team's spending strategy, and it remains to be seen how fans and critics will respond to his assessment. However, one thing is clear: Shohei Ohtani is committed to helping the Dodgers succeed on the field, even if that means supporting a team that has become known for its lavish spending spree.

man i dont get why ppl are badmouthing the dodgers for splurging $$$ they got some of the best talent in baseball now and thats what matters Ohtani's right btw they're gonna win championships and the $$$ is worth it even if its a bit sus lol I mean who wouldn't wanna be part of a winning team

Ohtani thinks the Dodgers are gonna win some championships and he's hyped about it He says they're signing good players like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, which is cool I guess... The thing is, some people don't like how much money they're spending but Ohtani doesn't care, he's all about winning . He even talked to the ownership group before his own huge deal last year, so he knows what's going on. Maybe it'll work out for them, maybe not , but at least Ohtani is supporting their plan, right?

omg i love shohei ohtani!!! he's so supportive of his team and it's awesome to see him backing their big spending plans i think it's cool that he's all about winning those world series championships he's like the ultimate team player and i'm sure he'll do everything in his power to help the dodgers succeed on the field

Ugh, baseball just got richer ... I mean, who needs parity when you can just splurge like the Dodgers did? $1.2 billion is wild , and now they're projecting a tax payroll of $396 million... that's crazy . It's gonna be tough for other teams to compete with this kind of spending power . I guess it's good for fans who want to see exciting games, but at what cost? The financial burden on these players is huge ... Ohtani might think it's worth it for a chance at a World Series title, but I'm not so sure . This just feels like the 1% getting richer and the rest of us watching from the sidelines .

I mean, can't blame Ohtani for being excited about all these big signings especially when you consider how much better the team's chances of winning are with all those stars on the roster. The thing is, people have this perception that LA Dodgers' owners are just splurging without a care in the world , but I think it's more complicated than that. They're actually trying to create a winning product that can put them back on top, and if that means shelling out some serious cash then so be it

I also love how Ohtani is owning his own role in this whole thing he knew the team was going all-in and decided to join them anyway. And at $700 million, dude's gonna get paid fair play for wanting a cut of that action.

Of course, not everyone's gonna be stoked about it but as long as Ohtani's out there throwing 100+ mph and hitting home runs like they're going outta style ️ then I say bring on the spending spree

lol what's up with all this money? like i get it shohei ohtani is talented and all but $700 million is insane and now they're saying we should just overlook the fact that other teams can't compete because of it? newsflash: baseball needs more competition not less meanwhile kyle tucker and edwin diaz are cool i guess

I gotta say, I'm kinda surprised by Shohei Ohtani's response to all the criticism about the Dodgers' huge spending spree . Like, I get it, he wants to win championships and bring home that World Series trophy , but $700 million is a whole lotta cash! And now they're projecting over $396 million in taxes alone? That's crazy talk .

It's like, I'm all for the team trying to compete and put out a winning product, but shouldn't that be done in a way that doesn't break the bank? Like, what about the other teams who are struggling to make ends meet? Don't they deserve some love too?

But hey, at the end of the day, it's all about baseball and Ohtani's passion for the game . And if he thinks that the team's spending spree is gonna lead to more wins and championships, then I guess he's got a point . It's just gonna be interesting to see how fans and critics react to his comments

omg i love shohei ohtani's vibe he totally gets it - investing in top talent is key to winning championships! and tbh, 1.2 billion is crazy but if it means we get to see more games like the one last season where he threw a no-hitter then im all for it! i think its awesome that he's speaking out in support of the team's strategy - fans are always gonna have opinions but at the end of the day, who cares if they're spending money? we wanna see more baseballs on the field not less

I dont get why everyone's so salty about this tho . Like Ohtani said, it's not like he's the one signing all those contracts. The fans are just mad 'cause they cant afford tickets no more . And honestly, can you blame the Dodgers for wanting to win? They've got a rich history and a loyal fanbase. It's like, if they're gonna splurge on talent, why not try to win a few championships too? The fans are just caught in the middle. It's all about prioritizing success over being frugal. I get it, but can't we just enjoy the show?

I dont think its fair to say shoihei ohtani is saying that the dodgers money is being wasted lol he actually makes some good points about it attracting top talent and putting out a winning product on the field. imo its all about performance now, fans care more about wins than how much money the team spends. plus with players like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, i think shoihei has got to be thrilled to play with them

Ugh man I'm like really concerned about this Dodgers' spending spree it's getting out of control, you know? Like $1.2 billion in one offseason?! That's insane and what's the point if they're just gonna blow it all on overpaid players and then expect to win World Series championships without putting in the work on the field? I get that Ohtani is hyped about the signings, but at what cost to the team's integrity? and to fans like me who can't afford to shell out that kind of cash for tickets or merchandise . Can't we just have a more balanced approach to building a winning team without breaking the bank ?

I'm not sure about this one... I mean, $1.2 billion is just insane! It's like they're throwing money at problems instead of trying to fix the underlying issues with the game itself. And what's with all these huge contracts? Can't we see anyone else getting a chance to shine without breaking the bank?

But at the same time, I can see why Ohtani would be excited about it... he's a superstar player and he knows how much it takes to win in this league. And who am I to argue with his assessment that it's all worth it if they can bring home some World Series titles? Still, as a fan, it's hard not to feel like the money is being used too liberally... like, what's the point of having the best team on paper if you're not actually going to use it effectively?

I'm so done with these teams just breaking the bank! I mean, I love Shohei Ohtani and all, but come on $700 million?! That's like, insane! And what about the fans who can't even afford tickets anymore? It feels like the Dodgers are playing a game where they're just trying to spend their way to a World Series title. Newsflash: it won't work that easily! I get that Ohtani thinks it's worth it, but some of us see the bigger picture here... teams losing their identity and becoming just another luxury spending spree. Ugh, I need to take a deep breath...

I mean, I think it's kinda cool that Shohei Ohtani is down with the team's spending strategy . Like, who wouldn't want to be part of a winning product on the field, right? It's all about putting in the work and having a solid roster. And hey, if the Dodgers can attract top players like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, that's a win-win for baseball fans everywhere! The thing is, I don't think it's just about Shohei saying what he wants to say... like, are they really doing it for the fans or just to keep up with the Joneses? Either way, it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out. Maybe we'll even get to see them bring home a World Series title!

I gotta say, I'm not surprised by Ohtani's stance on this one . The guy's all about winning and bringing that World Series title to LA. He knows how much goes into being the best, and if the team's willing to spend big to get that done, he's all for it . I mean, who doesn't want to see their favorite team dominate on the field? Plus, Ohtani himself just signed a massive deal – you gotta respect his commitment to winning . Of course, some fans might say it's ruining the game or making it too expensive, but at the end of the day, baseball is about entertainment and competition, and if that means shelling out some big bucks for top talent, so be it . I'm just excited to see how it all plays out!

I'm low-key impressed with Ohtani's response ... I mean, he's not gonna speak out against his own payroll . But seriously though, it's kinda refreshing to see him own up to the fact that they're pouring a ton of cash into this team and hoping for the best. The thing is, as long as they're signing talent like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz , I can get on board with that . And hey, even if it's seen as 'ruining' baseball by some, Ohtani's just trying to win championships ️, which is what we all want in sports. Maybe the real question is... are the Dodgers really gonna be able to back up their spending claims?

I don't get why people are still complaining about the Dodgers' spending . I mean, it's not like they're breaking the bank or anything. They're just trying to win championships and Ohtani is right there with them. I'm all for teams being able to invest in their players if it means putting out a winning product on the field . And let's be real, $700 million is a small price to pay for potentially bringing home a World Series title . I wish more fans could see it that way and stop complaining about the team spending its money .

I'm kinda with Shohei Ohtani on this one . I mean, who doesn't want to see their favorite team compete at the highest level? The Dodgers have always been about winning, and if they're willing to spend big to make that happen, then I say let 'em . It's not like they're breaking the bank or anything (although $1.2 billion is a pretty penny ). And hey, it's not just about Ohtani himself - the whole team gets to benefit from all those signings. As long as they're producing on the field and bringing home some hardware, I'm good with it . Can you imagine playing in LA or Boston for that kind of money? It's like a dream come true!