Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman Identifies Key Selling Points to Free Agents like Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers’ worst-kept secret is their interest in bringing two-way superstar free agent Shohei Ohtani to town this offseason, and they are expected to be aggressive in doing so. LA has wanted Ohtani in Dodger Blue for some time now, and this is their chance to make it happen.

The Dodgers remain the frontrunners to land Ohtani this winter, for a multitude of reasons. One is, that they can afford the substantial financial obligation that it will likely take to land him this offseason. And another that the team resides in Southern California doesn’t hurt either, especially since Ohtani has come to love the area.

But Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman believes that the narrative of Ohtani being linked to the Dodgers comes off as lazy. He outlined his thinking in an exclusive interview with DodgersNation.com.

“Obviously, it’s hard for me to talk about a free agent right now, but I do think it’s a lazy narrative. ‘Oh it’s right up the freeway.’ And, ‘oh, it’s Southern California.’ Look, forgetting just Shohei, I think if a player who is a free agent, really cares about winning, I think you can look back and then look ahead and I would argue we’re the best positioned of any team. Now, I’m sure other teams would argue differently and I totally get that and respect it, but I think what we have demonstrated, where are core players are today, the strength of our farm system, our financial flexibility and you could look out for the next five to seven [years] and make a very compelling argument. And so I think that resonates with free agent players, at least I hope it does. And it’s something that I think is meaningful in a lot of guys decisions that are going through this.”

Per Andrew Friedman via The DodgersNation YouTube Channel

Ohtani has made it clear that his priority going forward is about winning at the highest level, and LA can surely off him that. The Dodgers remain one of the only teams in the entire league that can offer him the chance to compete each season, while also maintaining the flexibility of focusing on long-term success.

If the team were to land Ohtani, it would be the biggest get in the Friedman era, and it would reenergize this LA fanbase. He is the biggest show in the sport, and LA is home to one of the biggest cities that the league has to offer.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Ohtani, but the Dodgers’ number one priority this offseason is trying to sign him. The hope is that when the dust settles, Ohtani will be calling Dodger Stadium home, and hopefully, they can help each other find major success in the league.

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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