When the Los Angeles Dodgers managed to secure a 10-year contract with Shohei Ohtani for $700 million, a feeling of validation came along to team president Stan Kastan. The team pursued Ohtani for a while, but in 2017, they lost the opportunity when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. However, when the next opportunity came, Kastan highlighted the importance of the decision before Ohtani officially signed the agreement.

Ohtani’s life would’ve taken a turn if he joined forces with the Dodgers, Kasten told Ohtani during their meeting. “I said, ‘Don’t make the same mistake,’ and he just laughed.”

Kasten’s message went beyond a sales pitch – it was a plea to Ohtani’s dreams and ambitions.

The Dodgers had established themselves as a powerhouse in the league with a history of contending for titles year after year before the Angels squandered his peak years in performances. Shohei Ohtani’s desires to succeed, to push his limits, and to expand his influence worldwide were in sync with what the Dodgers could provide. Even when misleading reports suggested Ohtani was on a flight to Toronto, Kasten remained unconvinced. “That didn’t make sense to me, given what I knew about Shohei and his goals,” he admitted on Dodgers Nation on Tuesday.

Teammates quickly embraced this new version of Ohtani.

Already the hardest worker, he also emerged as one of the most popular figures in the clubhouse. “To have your best player be your hardest worker and also your most popular player, that’s rare,” Kasten said. “And we have a couple of guys like that. It’s a great time in our franchise’s history.”

The next chapter: Shohei Ohtani’s road back to the mound

But the real anticipation lies ahead. Ohtani’s return after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery.

Even though his bat remains as dangerous as ever, his value as a two-way player makes him truly special. So, the Dodgers are taking a careful approach. They’ve already halted his bullpen sessions and confirmed he won’t face live hitters during Cactus League.

While there’s no hurry at the moment, Ohtani’s pitching could elevate the Dodgers from being tied to practically unbeatable, Kastan remarked. “We’re taking the right steps, and when he’s ready, it’s going to be something special.”

True, the progress in his recovery journey has been slow, but the Dodgers are optimistic about his return to form. Ohtani has already demonstrated his comeback ability in the past. Having faced Tommy John surgery in 2018 and spending more than a year away from pitching duties, he came back in 2021 and secured the AL MVP title.

And now, with even bigger expectations, Ohtani is determined to make a meaningful impact on a Dodgers team that is driven by a strong desire for success.

Whether he decides to step onto the field in 2025 or holds off until 2026, the Dodgers are confident that whenever he does, he will continue to be as electrifying and impressive as before. Do you agree, too?