The Los Angeles Dodgers Can't Fit Shohei Ohtani on the Roster as of Right Now

The Los Angeles Dodgers got great news on Saturday when free agent Shohei Ohtani announced he would be signing with them. The only problem? There's no room on the 40-man roster for him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers got great news on Saturday afternoon when free agent Shohei Ohtani announced he was going to sign with them this offseason.

The only problem? There's no room on the 40-man roster for him at this point. Furthermore, there's no room on the 40-man roster for reliever Joe Kelly, who the team is also signing this offseason.

Per Ken Rosenthal of 'The Athletic' on social media:

Dodgers working on trade with Yankees to create spots on 40-man roster for Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly, sources tell @TheAthletic. Expectation is the Yankees will receive two 40-man players for a prospect not on their 40. Names not yet known.

Dodgers working on trade with Yankees to create spots on 40-man roster for Shohei Ohtani and Joe Kelly, sources tell @TheAthletic. Expectation is the Yankees will receive two 40-man players for a prospect not on their 40. Names not yet known.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 10, 2023

Wouldn't it be fascinating if the Yankees elected to hold up the Ohtani market and became the team responsible for keeping Ohtani from the Dodgers? 

It would be fascinating, but in reality, someone is going to make a trade with the Dodgers to help them out, so if the Yankees can get talent out of the whole thing, then they should do it. The Yankees finished fourth in the American League East a season ago and need to acquire as much talent as they can. This helps them do that.

As for the Dodgers, they are on the verge of landing the most talented player we've ever seen in our lifetime in Ohtani. They'll also add Kelly, a veteran who will aid the bullpen.

The Dodgers were beaten in the National League Division Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks and are looking to win a World Series title for the first time since 2020.

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