Dodgers Rumors: Latest on Shohei Ohtani, LA's 'First Priority' This Offseason

Can the Dodgers sign the best player in baseball?

The connection between Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers goes all the way back before he signed with the Angels in 2017. At the time the belief was if the designated hitter existed in the National League, then Ohtani would have signed with the Dodgers. Ever since then, it seems like the Dodgers have made decisions and positioned themselves to court Ohtani if and when he became a free agent. 

Now is that time and MLB insider Bob Nightengale has good news for Dodgers fans,

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Dodgers' first priority this offseason is signing Shohei Ohtani. That can probably be said of numerous contending teams, including both New York squads and the San Diego Padres.

Regardless, Los Angeles is the one team that the two-way player continues to be linked to and it feels like the best fit for him.



Prediction: Ohtani signs an 8-year deal with the Dodgers

Via Erik Beaston - Bleacher Report

Every team can use the elite services of Shohei Ohtani, but the Dodgers do have a couple of other things going their way.

Los Angeles has a storied history with Japanese-born players going all the way back to Hideo Nomo. They seem to always do well specifically with pitchers from Asia whether it's Nomo, Kenta Maeda, Hiroki Kuroda, or Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Locationally, LA is closer to Japan making travel just that much easier. Even closer to LA is Anaheim, so the adjustment period state-side will not be as drastic.

Most importantly, the Dodgers currently have the financial flexibility to sign Ohtani. A big deal gets made about how much the front office spends on payroll annually. However, with long-term contracts only given out to Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the team can sign Ohtani at any price and not financially hamstring themselves.

All signs in the past few years have pointed to the Dodgers signing the best player the sport has seen. Hopefully, within the coming months, the team can execute this plan and add the sport's biggest superstar to an already-loaded roster.