Shohei Ohtani unlikely to trigger ‘key-man clause,’ even if Mark Walter sells Dodgers

For now, Dodgers owner Mark Walter does not appear to be trying to sell the team.

But even if he does, don’t expect it to impact two-way star Shohei Ohtani.

In the 10-year, $700 million contract he signed with the Dodgers before the 2024 season, Ohtani included a “key-man clause” that would allow him to opt out of the deal if either Walter or president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman left the franchise during his tenure with the club.

However, even in the case of a hypothetical sale by Walter, the four-time MVP would seemingly be unlikely to exercise that option, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to the California Post.

That removes at least one potential unknown amid the sea of uncertainty currently surrounding the Dodgers’ owner.

Speculation over Ohtani’s key-man clause initially arose on Wednesday, in the wake of Walter’s stunning decision to sell the Lakers only a year after acquiring them.

That transaction, Dodgers president Stan Kasten insisted repeatedly, is not expected to have any impact on the Dodgers, nor served as any signal Walter could now try selling the baseball club.

Still, given the ongoing federal investigation into Walter’s business empire, and another Wednesday report from Bloomberg that the businessman had been seeking to raise capital to pay back loans being probed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, a potential Dodgers sale didn’t feel implausible.

And if one were to happen, it would leave Ohtani with a decision.

However, as The Athletic first reported, there are no signs the 32-year-old would be looking to leave the franchise.

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Since joining the Dodgers, Ohtani has won two MVP awards, two World Series, accomplished the first 50/50 season in MLB history, and found an apparent comfort level with the team after a six-year run with the Angels.

His decision to defer $680 million of his contract has also worked out as intended, allowing the team to surround him with layers of superstar talent.

Circumstances could always change, especially given all the questions that continue to linger around Walter.

But for now, Ohtani is clearly content in Los Angeles; so much so, even if he had the chance to use his opt-out, it’s unlikely he would do so.