Dodgers: Prioritizing the Dodgers’ top five potential offseason targets

5. Shohei Otani

There is nothing more interesting in the game of baseball right now than Japanese pitcher/slugger Shohei Otani. Otani is this rar hybrid between dominant pitching and a powerful bat that is reminiscent of Babe Ruth. Not only can Otani pitch and hit, he can do both exceptionally well and could be an ace in the MLB while remaining a threat at the plate.

Otani pitched less in 2017 and focused more on the offensive side of things, but when he did both in 2016 he was absolute lights out. In 104 games played at the plate, Otani slugged 22 home runs and drove in 67 RBIs with a .322 batting average. In that very same year, Otani also pitched in 21 games with a 10-4 record, a 2.12 ERA and 174 strikeouts.

Obviously, the transition from the major leagues will have some effects on Otani’s numbers, but he can easily still slug 15-20 home runs and consistently own a 3.00 ERA. Because of his weird hybrid, many are pointing to American League teams; where Otani can pitch every five days and play DH in between.

This had led to other clubs becoming front-runners for Otani. However, Dodgers President Andrew Friedman acknowledged the spectacle that is Otani and stated that the Dodgers would make it work if they did acquire the two-way star.

However, Otani’s skill set simply does not match what the Dodgers need. Otani wants to maintain his status as an ace and a slugger. The Dodgers need someone who can consistently pitch behind Clayton Kershaw. Trying to sneak Otani in the lineup to hit on a daily basis will only impede that process.