Analyst Urging Dodgers to Trade 4x MVP Shohei Ohtani if He Continues to Insist on Pitching Sparks Fan Fury: “Worst Baseball Take”

Shohei Ohtani went 8-2 in his 14 starts as a pitcher this year with a 1.79 ERA.

Analyst Urging Dodgers to Trade 4x MVP Shohei Ohtani if He Continues to Insist on Pitching Sparks Fan Fury: “Worst Baseball Take”

Shohei Ohtani (Image via X/@SleeperDodgers)

Shohei Ohtani‘s ability to play as a hitter and pitcher has made him one of the most unique players in MLB history. The 2026 season, however, was a challenging one for him as he battled several injuries. An analyst has now urged the Los Angeles Dodgers to trade him if he insists on pitching in the future.

The Japanese international suffered a ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear in his right elbow in August 2023. After undergoing surgery to repair this tear, he did not pitch in the 2024 season.

In his first season with the Dodgers, he played only as the designated hitter (DH) and did not pitch. He went on to break several records and create history. He founded the 50-50 club as he became the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

Following the 50-50 season, he had another stellar year offensively as he crossed the 50 home run mark for a second straight year. It was in June 2025 when he resumed pitching and started playing as a two-way player once again.

This year, Ohtani had his highs and lows while being a two-way star. After a solid start, he had some discomfort. He pulled out of the 2026 All-Star Game in July due to a knee injury and did not pitch again. He wrapped up his year going 8-2 in 14 starts with a 1.79 ERA as a pitcher.

He also battled issues in his right biceps, neck, and left hip, which led to a slump in his offense in the second half of the season. He started chasing wild pitches and struggled heavily in the batter’s box.

There were also questions about whether the team could bench him for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) while they were 0-2 down against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The 4-time MVP did have a huge moment in Game 4 as he smashed a 3-run home run. It was his first home run since August 18.

However, this home run was unable to save the Dodgers’ season. The LA-based side lost 6-4 in Game 4 and got swept 4-0 in the NLCS, ending their reign as champions.

There are lots of questions regarding the team in the coming offseason. On Wednesday, the Dodgers’ President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, revealed that Ohtani will not need surgery in the offseason and will pitch in the 2027 season.

Los Angeles Times’ Bill Plaschke had a different opinion, though, regarding Ohtani’s pitching plans. In his piece, the analyst claimed Ohtani can no longer serve as a full-time hitter and pitcher. He then urged the team to trade him away if he continues to insist on pitching.

They need to pull him off the pitching mound permanently. And if he insists on continuing this detrimental charade, they need to seriously consider trading him.

Bill Plaschke said regarding Shohei Ohtani

Plaschke also agreed that trading him might be one of the worst ideas since the Boston Red Sox traded away Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920. That trade worked out horribly for the Red Sox, as they went on a massive World Series slump now famously known as the “Curse of the Bambino.”

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Social media reacts to wild Shohei Ohtani trade take

Bill Plaschke ruffled some feathers with his wild take regarding Shohei Ohtani. The veteran columnist urged the Los Angeles Dodgers to pull him off the pitching mound, as he believes this role is affecting his hitting.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Fans on X were not too pleased to hear these words from him. Many slammed him and called him out instead. One user wrote, “Worst baseball take,” while making their feelings known.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Plaschke’s suggestion does have one major obstacle. Ohtani has a no-trade clause in his 10-year, $700 million deal. So unless he waives it, the team will not be able to trade him.

It will be interesting to see how Ohtani performs next year. If he struggles again, maybe the Dodgers could be inclined to his suggestion of pulling him off the mound and playing him just as a hitter. Only time will tell.

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