Dodgers Rumors: Insider Believes LA Needs Shohei Ohtani for ‘Bored’ Fan Base
The MLB offseason is officially underway and soon players will begin signing with new teams. But the biggest domino to fall will be what happens with Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani will solely be a hitter during the 2024 season, as he recovers from a procedure to repair a torn UCL. But there is hope that he will return to his two-way abilities in 2025, so he should still receive a massive contract this winter.
The Dodgers are one of the favorites to land Ohtani, and they have been preparing to go after him for some time now. They have wanted him in Dodger Blue since he was in high school, and this is their opportunity to make it happen.
One MLB insider believes that in addition to what he brings to the table on the field, the Dodgers need Ohtani to appease their fanbase. The LA fans have been waiting for Ohtani, and after another postseason collapse that followed a strong regular season, they may be bored with everything.
“The Dodgers, I still believe, are the favorites for Ohtani. And beyond that, I actually believe they need Ohtani. And you can say, ‘every team needs Ohtani, that’s a ridiculous statement.’ But the Dodgers are in a place where they’ve won all these division titles, they’ve had all these postseason appearances, yet the only World Series they won was in the shortened 2020 season. And it seems to me that a portion of the fan base, I don’t know what percentage, is kind of bored and kind of needs some sizzle.
Per Ken Rosenthal via Foul Territory
Every year the Dodgers put together a solid regular season, but fail to live up to the hype come playoff time. It has grown tiresome for many fans, and most aren’t even interested in the regular season any longer.
Landing Ohtani could change that narrative by providing a spark to the fanbase’s interest. LA fans have been spoiled with great regular seasons and playoff appearances, but in the city of Los Angeles, championships are what matter most.
LA has only won one title in this run of division titles, and it came during the shortened 2020 season. This isn’t taking anything away from the championship, but the team should be winning at a higher rate.
“And listen, I know Ohtani can’t pitch next season and their biggest need is starting pitching. Guess what? You can sign Ohtani and you can sign two starting pitchers too and then you’ll have Ohtani to pitch hopefully when he returns from his second Tommy John surgery. So I still see them as being a force in the division and a force for Ohtani.”
Per Ken Rosenthal via Foul Territory
With or without Ohtani, the Dodgers will be one of the favorites to win the 2024 World Series. But adding him to the roster does so much for this organization, and it would be a major disappointment if they failed to get him.
Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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I think signing Ohtani would be a big mistake. He will be too expensive. I feel the money would be better spent elsewhere. He just had his second TJ surgery. There is no guarantee that he will be an effective pitcher again. Plus he can’t pitch this year. How much should the Dodgers spend on a designated hitter?….I rather see them resign Martinez and get a couple of top line pitchers and another outfielder. I just don’t see Ohtani as the key to a World Series win.
Who cares about the money?? Lol. The Dodgers could give Ohtani a billion dollars and still be good. The biggest fleece in all of sports is baseball team owners and the baseball media getting fans to believe that these teams can’t spend whatever they want on players. There’s no reason the Dodgers can’t get Ohtani AND two front line starters AND outfield help. Actually, that’s exactly what I think they’re going to do this offseason.
And if you don’t think Ohtani is the key to a World Series title but you think more depth is, you’re flat out not paying attention. Why did the Rangers just win the World Series? Because of their depth? Absolutely not. It’s because their stars showed up when it mattered. They won because they had two great starting pitchers, two otherworldly hitters and two good relievers that got hot. That’s exactly why the Astros won in 2022 as well. Depth does not win World Series titles, stars do. And even though we haven’t seen Ohtani in the Postseason we have seen him dominate in the WBC. The guy is Yordan Alvarez on steroids.
The last thing the Dodgers need to do is focus on positional depth. They absolutely need more pitching depth, no denying that. But I’m sick and tired of the Dodgers platooning and playing matchups. It works GREAT in the regular season but completely falls flat in the Postseason. The Rangers started the same 9 guys in virtually all of their 17 Postseason games and only pinch hit when they were forced to. Platooning and playing matchups does not work in the Postseason. The fact that the Dodgers can not see that yet is mind blowing to me. Until the Dodgers learn that the regular season and postseason are two different beasts, we can expect early exits year after year.
I think you honestly hit exactly what the problem is. It makes sense. You can’t play match ups in the postseason you are correct. Tahank you.
Bored but not desperate.Fix the failures in the post season!