Dodgers Rumors: MLB Insider Says Shohei Ohtani’s Fit in LA ‘Not Quite as Clean’ Following Injury

Are we sure about this?

Even with the knowledge that he'll be unable to pitch until 2025, the Dodgers still would be wise to pursue the best free agent baseball has ever seen. 

As Shohei Ohtani is set to hit the open market, even if he's strictly a hitter in 2024, his fit in LA would seemingly be perfect, but not according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. 

"Their rotation is so riddled with questions that word is they will be “very focused” on starters this winter. The belief now is the Dodgers are “not quite as clean a fit” as before. ...

"The other potential issue may not have much validity, but even Dodgers people have heard speculation Ohtani doesn’t love hitting at Dodger Stadium. That seems strange, as Dodger Stadium plays straight up and along with Angel Stadium carries the obvious weather advantage (plus Ohtani’s career 1.149 OPS there belies any concern)."

via Jon Heyman, New York Post

Homering in his most recent game at Dodger Stadium and coming just one hit shy of a cycle, Ohtani would seem right at home slightly north of Orange County where he currently plays. 

Though he's been shut down for the rest of 2023, should he choose to leave the Angels after six seasons without playoff baseball — including three straight healthy campaigns of 9 WAR each — Ohtani and the Dodgers would be wise to work out a contract. 

How much said contract will be remains to be seen, but for the Dodgers, they've proven a willingness to spend on MVP level talent in recent seasons through trading for and extending Mookie Betts in 2020 and signing Freddie Freeman as a free agent in 2022. 

This upcoming winter should be no different, and Ohtani's previously record-setting contract may now come at a bargain due to his injury. 

Whatever the terms may be either long or short, LA would be wise to nab the best player in baseball for next season and possibly beyond.