Why Ohtani is a perfect fit for the Dodgers
In this four-part series, theScore's MLB editors look at some of the front-runners for Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, and project how he'd fit within their prospective rosters.
Without Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers won a major-league-leading 104 regular-season games and capped that off by advancing to the World Series.
The Dodgers - one of baseball's most complete teams - can finally put an end to a 29-year World Series drought this coming season. Convincing a 23-year-old that Los Angeles is the place for him to begin what is sure to be an illustrious career is the first, and likely the only step to ensuring them of that.
California calling, I'll be there right away
It's unclear if Ohtani is familiar with the Beach Boys' "California Calling," but for a young player transitioning from Japan to the majors, what better place to start your career than in Los Angeles. Beaches and sunshine aside, few organizations can match the Dodgers' impressive history, reputation, and success. It also helps that the current group is coming off a historically impressive season that ended one win shy of a World Series.
The Dodgers will enter 2018 as favorites in the National League regardless of any offseason acquisitions. Therefore it's scary to imagine how much greater this team could be with Ohtani in the mix.
Additionally, Ohtani would have the opportunity to join Clayton Kershaw, Kobe Bryant, and Magic Johnson as L.A. sports icons, and all it could take is $300,000, and a strong pitch from Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman, to make it happen.
Why have Yu Darvish when you can have Ohtani?
The front office did well in acquiring Darvish at the trade deadline, but now - with the stud right-hander testing the free-agent market - the Dodgers have a terrific opportunity to replace him with his counterpart from Japan.
Potential 2018 rotation
| Player | 2017 WAR | ERA | WHIP | K/BB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw | 4.6 | 2.31 | 0.80 | 6.73 |
| Shohei Ohtani* | - | 3.20 | 1.26 | 1.53 |
| Alex Wood | 3.3 | 2.82 | 1.09 | 3.97 |
| Rich Hill | 2.6 | 3.32 | 1.09 | 3.39 |
| Kenta Maeda | 1.9 | 4.35 | 1.16 | 3.94 |
*In five starts (25 1/3 IP) with Nippon-Ham Fighters
The 23-year-old would immediately slot in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Kershaw - baseball's most dominant ace - followed by Wood, Hill, and Maeda. Few organizations can match the Dodgers' depth, as the starting five would be complemented by Brandon McCarthy, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Scott Kazmir, and that doesn't factor in young starters Julio Urias and top prospect Walker Buehler who - barring an offseason trade - should make his major-league debut in 2018. The aforementioned Maeda, a Japanese-born starter signed to an incentive-laced, eight-year contract out of the Nippon Professional Baseball in 2016, could ease Ohtani's transition to North America. Similarly, Ryu - who came over from the KBO in South Korea in 2006 - would offer some help as well.
Dodgers starters led baseball in 2017 in ERA (3.39), WHIP (1.15), and hits allowed (763), so it's absurd to think this group of pitchers could improve heading into 2018. But with Ohtani in the mix, it's possible - even probable.
Make an elite offense that much better
Much like their starting rotation, the Dodgers have an incredibly deep lineup and one filled with elite offensive catalysts.
Potential 2018 lineup
| Player | POS | 2017 WAR |
|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | RF | - |
| Alex Verdugo | LF | - |
| Chris Taylor | CF | 4.7 |
| Cody Bellinger | 1B | 4.0 |
| Logan Forsythe | 2B | 1.7 |
| Corey Seager | SS | 5.7 |
| Justin Turner | 3B | 5.5 |
| Austin Barnes | C | 2.5 |
There's an obvious omission from the lineup and that's outfielder Yasiel Puig, who was brilliant this season. This is where it could get difficult for the Dodgers, but there's also a lot they could do to integrate Ohtani into the lineup if they so choose.
The Dodgers possess an abundance of outfielders. With Taylor and Puig locked in as everyday players for 2018, all of Joc Pederson, Andrew Toles, and Enrique Hernandez will be relegated to the bench. That's not including top outfield prospect Alex Verdugo, who warrants a starting job in 2018. That would mean trading one, if not two of Pederson, Toles, Hernandez, and Verdugo if the club wants to give Ohtani the chance to play. If this were to happen, Puig could remain in right field with Ohtani starting in left, or vice-versa. The 23-year-old would also be the obvious choice to DH when the team faces off against American League opponents.
One thing to keep in mind for the Dodgers is that Ohtani wouldn't play on all of his days off, meaning he'd need additional rest every now and then. Every AL team in the mix for Ohtani would have an advantage because of the DH factor, but that doesn't mean the Dodgers can't entice the young star with some minor roster tinkering.
Check out the previous installments in this series:
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)