Ohtani and the Dodgers met, and Roberts affirms, “Our top priority.”
The truth might be painful at times. Whether the fact bomb Dave Roberts unleashed on the media on Tuesday during the Winter Meetings will affect the Dodgers’ prospects of signing superstar mutual player Shohei Ohtani was the issue of the day.
Roberts provided a sharp contrast to the other clubs participating in the Ohtani wooing when he confirmed that the Dodgers and Ohtani had met at Dodger Stadium.
Given that the Dodgers have been widely regarded as the favorites in the industry to sign Ohtani, the team’s announcement of a meeting comes as a shocking shock in this very confidential process.
This was, of course, an assumption. But, Roberts’ open and honest approach with media regarding the two-time MVP sent shockwaves through the Gaylord Opryland, especially considering earlier reports that Ohtani’s team will hold any disclosures about this procedure against the club involved.
Roberts met with the Dodgers’ public relations team members on the spot right away following his media conference.
As part of the scheduled appearance, Dodgers manager Brandon Gomes spoke with media shortly after and said he was “surprised” by his boss’s openness.
Based on their current payroll forecast, the Dodgers are not subject to the luxury tax. Additionally, they have a vacancy at designated hitter, which was occupied by seasoned J.D. Martinez during a one-year deal in 2023. Martinez did not get a qualifying offer from the Dodgers.
Based on conversations with the Dodgers’ medical team, Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani will one day be allowed to resume his mutual role once he recovers from the right elbow treatment he underwent in September, even if Ohtani will only be eligible to play designated hitter in 2024.
Roberts stated, “I believe our staff comes confident that he will pitch again when the time is right.” However, I believe that the issue is that, to us, you’re wagering on both the player and the individual.
However, when you’re spending this much time and money on someone, we’re all in on them. We seem eager and willing to place that wager, and hopefully it pays out.
Shohei Ohtani, a two-way superstar, is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top goal this offseason, according to manager Dave Roberts.
They provide him an opportunity to win, an opportunity to remain in Southern California, and probably a sizable quantity of money.
“Shohei is undoubtedly our highest priority,” Roberts stated on Tuesday in Nashville during her regularly scheduled media availability for the Winter Meetings. But his boss was not one to reveal secrets easily.
“Lying doesn’t seem like something I do. I was asked a question by someone. “It will surface eventually,” Roberts replied when questioned about why he disclosed that the Dodgers spoke with Ohtani.
“It was just a pleasure having the opportunity to spend some time with him.” He also mentioned that a few days earlier, the two groups met at Dodgers Stadium.
Roberts’ comment surprised many, though, considering suggestions that Ohtani favored secrecy and that any information that leaked would be used against the team.
Dodgers General Manager Brandon Gomes intervened right away to counterbalance the manager’s admission.
It goes without saying that the Dodgers are interested in Ohtani. The Dodgers have been the focus of speculation for a number of years now as Ohtani’s preferred destination; for the previous two or three seasons, the organization deliberately aligned its payroll and roster to position themselves to make a record-breaking offer to Ohtani.