(Photo : Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Mookie Betts (#50) of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani (#17) of the Los Angeles Angels within the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium on July 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made arguably this era’s most vital free agent signing, securing the dedication of Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani from cross-town rivals Los Angeles Angels.
The impending signing of the pitcher/designated hitter is poised to be probably the most important skilled contract in sports activities historical past, amounting to $700 million over ten years.
However, additional strategic strikes are obligatory for the Dodgers to solidify themselves as a World Series contending workforce.
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3 strikes the Los Angeles Dodgers ought to make after signing Shohei Othani:
1. Add a star pitcher.
Ohtani can not pitch for the 2024 season and can completely function a chosen hitter. This is a results of the season-ending Tommy John surgical procedure he underwent in September to restore a torn UCL in his proper elbow.
As a end result, the Dodgers urgently want a pitcher to fill the void, as they presently face a scarcity in that specific place.
Even if Dodgers franchise legend free agent Clayton Kershaw decides to return for one more run, he isn’t anticipated to take the mound till the summer season following a shoulder surgical procedure.
Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers is the title that involves thoughts to fill the wants of the Dodgers.
The 29-year-old right-hander is a Cy Young award winner and three-time MLB All-Star. He has maintained a formidable ERA+ of 129 all through his profession, amassing 870 strikeouts in 709 1/3 innings. In the 2023 season, Burnes posted an ERA of three.39 throughout 32 begins for Milwaukee.
Acquiring Burnes might considerably bolster the entrance of the Dodgers’ rotation, and the group has the monetary means to safe him with a contract extension, making each events completely happy.
2. Sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Dodgers have already secured the signing of Japanese sensation Ohtani, however they may additional strengthen their roster by including one other Japanese standout in pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The 25-year-old is the primary participant in skilled baseball historical past to win the Triple Crown in three consecutive years, and he’s thought of the greatest pitcher in Japan.
Having been with the Orix Buffaloes since 2017, the workforce introduced that Yamamoto could be posted to the MLB. The pitcher was formally posted on November 20, making him one of the after-sought gamers within the open market.
This transfer will improve the Dodgers’ standing within the Japanese market even additional.
3. Bolster their outfield.
With seven-time MLB All-Star Mookie Betts transitioning to the position of second baseman for the 2024 season, the Dodgers’ outfield lineup appears skinny.
While promising, younger gamers corresponding to Jonny Deluca, Michael Busch, and Miguel Vargas stay unproven choices.
It will likely be essential for the workforce to signal at the least one dependable outfielder in free company.
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