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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff WriterDec 5, 2023, 04:25 PM ET
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- ESPN baseball press reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.– Los Angeles Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts acknowledged Tuesday that his group consulted with two-way feeling Shohei Ohtani at Dodger Stadium “a couple days earlier.” This marks the first time anyone involved has disclosed any information about Ohtani’s highly anticipated free agency, which has been shrouded in secrecy.
“Shohei’s our top priority,” Roberts said.
The Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Toronto Blue Jays are believed to be the finalists for Ohtani. They could pick his destination within the week. Dodgers have long been viewed as the favorites for Ohtani, though the Blue Jays have also become a genuine threat.
The Dodgers are protecting their pursuit of Ohtani while also looking to add 2-3 pitchers for their rotation. Fellow Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto is also on their radar. Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery in September and isn’t expected to pitch again until 2025. However, Roberts expressed confidence he’ll make a full recovery.
The Dodgers were previously finalists for Ohtani when he first came over from Japan in 2017, but they were at least partially hurt by not yet having the DH available in the National League. They have definitely learned from that experience as they navigate this situation again.
