Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Well, what can you say? The Dodgers snatched the crown jewel in the history of MLB free agency this winter, and it didn’t really seem all that hard. With all due respect to J.D. Martinez and his fine work in the DH position last season, I think it’s safe to say that the team has had a significant upgrade in 2024. Let’s begin, shall we?
Shohei Ohtani (six years MLB experience, first year with LAD)
A lot of ink has already been spilled about the massive signing of perhaps the best player ever to strap on cleats in the MLB, so we don’t need to go into a ton of detail here. Suffice it to say that the Dodgers have been lusting after Ohtani since the Japanese superstar first appeared on the scene nearly a decade ago. The only reason that they didn’t snag him initially was the lack of the DH position in the National League at the time. But with his time in Anaheim, Ohtani has proved himself more than capable of being worthy of the the huge outlay of cash that the Dodgers have committed to for the next two decades (one in uniform, one out). The awards stacked up quickly for the affable Ohtani. Rookie of the Year in 2018. MVP in 2021. MVP again in 2023. He’s coming off his best season by far. His OPS+ last year was a ridiculous 184 and he had a combined WAR of 10. TEN!! In the last twenty years only a handful of guys have reached that plateau: A roided-up Barry Bonds in 2004, pitcher Zack Greinke in 2009, Mike Trout a couple of times, Aaron Judge in his homer-record season of 2022, and our own Mookie Betts when he won the MVP with the Red Sox in 2018. That’s some pretty heady company.
However, it is a huge risk. Whenever you commit that kind of dough on one player, it’s going to be a bit of nailbiter. Will the player’s health hold out? How many good years does he have left in him? What has the contract done to the Dodgers’ chances after he leaves? All legitimate questions. And it still remains to be seen what kind of pitcher he will be when the elbow finally completely heals.
The Dodgers will have to be a little careful with him as he continues to recover from his surgery of last year. However, in spring training he shows no signs of needing any special treatment. “He’s a lot further along than I think any of us maybe not named Shohei would have expected,” manager Dave Roberts said earlier this spring. “He’s worked really hard and (has been) very diligent in his work. So he’s ahead of schedule… it seems like every single day, he keeps getting better and feels really good.”
As for 2024, not sure why FanGraphs has him dropping in production so much. The proof will be on the field. But for what it’s worth, here it is…
| 2023 | LAA | MLB | 135 | 599 | 44 | .304 | .412 | .654 | .433 | 180 | 6.6 |
| 2024 | FGDC | PROJ | 151 | 651 | 39 | .266 | .368 | .548 | .379 | 141 | 3.9 |
Other options…
Let’s be clear. Shohei Ohtani is the everyday DH of the Dodgers for the next 5-10 years. However, if something catastrophic should happen, or if he just needs a day off to rest, the Dodgers have plenty of players who can fill in at DH. The most likely candidate for a replacement to Ohtani is Will Smith. Putting Smith in at DH would keep his bat in the lineup and give him a day off from catching, thus killing the proverbial two birds with one stone. But in the event that Smith is needed behind the plate, there are multiple guys who could step in: Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez are the most likely second tier choices, or perhaps Jason Heyward if a left-handed bat is needed. Of course, there’s a possibility that Gavin Lux could be relegated to bench duty if he doesn’t get his fielding sorted out, which would also make him available from the left side in a pinch. However, if you look at your lineup card and Gavin Lux is your DH, you’ll know that something has gone horribly wrong with the Dodgers’ season. Let’s hope it doesn’t ever come to that, and we can just marvel in the miracle that is Shohei Ohtani.
DODGERSBEAT RATING: A+
