The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to strengthen their roster, with the Shohei Ohtani effect serving as a key driving force.

After becoming the first Major League team in the 21st century to successfully defend their title, the Los Angeles Dodgers have not fallen victim to the so-called "championship curse." Instead, they have kept enhancing their lineup to mount a full-strength bid for a three-peat in 2026. Behind these moves, the influence of the team’s star player, Shohei Ohtani, is seen as a major catalyst.

During the offseason, the Dodgers signed two record-breaking contracts: closer Edwin Díaz secured a three-year deal worth $69 million, marking the highest average annual salary ever for a relief pitcher, while outfielder Kyle Tucker inked a four-year, $240 million contract—the highest average annual salary under luxury tax rules in history.

However, MLB.com reporter Manny Randhawa noted that the Dodgers’ strength had already improved compared to last year before signing Díaz and Tucker. He listed four main reasons, three of which carried question marks or tentative language like "should," indicating uncertainty; the only clearly confirmed enhancement was Shohei Ohtani returning as a full two-way player, no longer limited in pitching workload as he was during last year’s rehab season.

The signings of Díaz and Tucker are also believed to be linked to Shohei Ohtani. Especially since the outfield was not a pressing need for the Dodgers, yet the team still committed a huge salary to secure Kyle Tucker, regarded as the biggest free agent name this year. This move has further fueled rival fans’ perception of the Dodgers as an "evil empire," with some commentators pointing out that the market gap between teams has grown so large it may require regulatory adjustments.

The Dodgers’ motivation and ability to strengthen their roster are likely closely tied to Shohei Ohtani. His contract includes a rare personnel clause: if owner Mark Walter or baseball operations president Andrew Friedman leaves, Ohtani has the right to opt out. When asked last year why the team continued to spend big, Friedman said, "When we met with him (Ohtani), we promised to actively reinforce the team and go all out to win. We believe we have the responsibility and obligation to fulfill that promise." Media reports also suggest that Ohtani’s relationship with the Dodgers resembles a partnership rather than a traditional employer-employee dynamic, with the team striving to satisfy his championship ambitions.

Part of the Dodgers’ financial strength comes from their market, but Shohei Ohtani has also directly boosted their economic impact. Economists estimated in 2024 that Ohtani generated $357 million in direct revenue for the Dodgers in his first year, with an overall economic benefit reaching $770 million, providing the team with ample financial resources to compete for top players.