Shohei Ohtani Wants the Dodgers to Spend, So Who Should They Sign Next?
After signing Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract with deferrals that mean Ohtani will only make $2 million a season for the 10 years he's with L.A., the Los Angeles Dodgers are primed to spend a lot of money in free agency
With seemingly unlimited money to spend in free agency this year, the time is now for the Dodgers to build a World Series contender around Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman and begin a dynasty in L.A.
But the question that many fans have is, where do they start? Here are two players the Dodgers need to sign this offseason that would make this team's World Series aspirations a reality.
Japanese Star Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto
It's very well known that following the Ohtani signing, the Dodgers have been determined to bring in his former World Baseball Classic teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
This offseason, Yamamoto has had plenty of hype built around him and that's for good reason.
While playing in Japan for the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto was one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball. He is a three-time Pacific League MVP, a four-time league leader in ERA and strikeouts, and a five-time All-Star.
With Ohtani on the L.A. roster, there is still one hole the team will need to solve this year and that's starting pitching.
Last season, Ohtani tore his UCL which led to him undergoing major elbow surgery for the second time in his career. He will need at least a full season to recover which will make him ineligible to pitch next year.
Even if he was eligible to pitch, the Dodgers are still limited in starting pitching this season as they have just Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller featured in the starting rotation. If they re-sign Clayton Kershaw, there is still a good chance he will not pitch this season due to having shoulder surgery this offseason.
All-Star Closer Josh Hader
Aside from starting pitching, the Dodgers also have a need at closer. This offseason, former Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres closer Josh Hader is available and is a name the Dodgers are interested in, per Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.
Last season the Dodgers were led by right-handed pitcher Evan Phillips in saves. Phillips was 24 for 27 in save opportunities last season and pitched with a 2.05 ERA.
However, Hader had an even better year for San Diego, going 33 for 38 in save opportunities last season with a 1.28 ERA and 85 strikeouts.
Not only is Hader coming off a dominant season, he also has plenty of experience pitching in high leverage situations during the postseason making him an obvious choice to work as the closer for L.A. next year.
