The Los Angeles Dodgers just added Shohei Ohtani for an astronomical $700 million, to be paid in a 10-year contract (plus some deferrals).
Ohtani will technically be an outfielder in 2024 because an elbow injury will likely prevent him from pitching.
The biggest area of need for the team entering the offseason was pitching.
What does this mean?
Even though they just spent $700 million on one player, they are still required to bring in more pitchers, particularly starters.
Former MLB executive and current analyst/insider Steve Phillips discussed the team’s plans for the remainder of the offseason.
“@StevePhillipsGM expects the Dodgers to add two starters to their rotation next,” MLB Network tweeted with Phillips’ quotes.
.@StevePhillipsGM expects the Dodgers to add two starters to their rotation next pic.twitter.com/hn7ksStcRB
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 11, 2023
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they signed a free-agent pitcher (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, or Jordan Montgomery) and trade for a (Corbin) Burnes or a (Tyler) Glasnow,” he said, confirming that he expects them to add at least two additional starters.
The Dodgers are in on Yamamoto, who is expected to approach a $300 million contract or even surpass it depending on market dynamics.
There is a lot of competition on that front, though, so the team should be prepared to pivot for Plan B or C if necessary.
Their current rotation has Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Ryan Yarbrough, and Emmet Sheehan, and could certainly use more established arms.
Clayton Kershaw is a free agent and is injured, Dustin May is also hurt, and there is no telling what will happen with Julio Urias.
As a result, the Dodgers need to get very creative because pitching is still a sensible need.
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