Ohtani's Ambitions for Two-Way Play Raise Concerns for Dodgers' Future

Shohei Ohtani has expressed his intention to return to being a two-way player next season, a declaration that was anticipated but delivered in a way that has created concern for the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the team was eliminated from the playoffs by the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani stated, "I intend on doing everything," in Japanese, signaling his desire to pitch and hit.

This ambition, however, juxtaposed with his injury-plagued season, raises questions about the Dodgers' prospects for the upcoming season. Ohtani himself highlighted his disappointment at not being able to pitch in the postseason. "I wasn’t able to pitch in the postseason," he said. "That’s a point of dissatisfaction."

Ohtani's future hinges on how he approaches his offseason and whether he adapts his in-season schedule to manage his workload. A potential path forward involves modifying his pitching schedule and embracing load management to ensure he can pitch in critical games and maintain his effectiveness as a hitter. The alternative, strengthening his body through offseason workouts alone to withstand a full season of both pitching and hitting, is viewed as a riskier strategy, especially given his age of 33 next year and the physical toll his injuries have taken.

Ohtani did not specify his plans beyond stating he would begin deliberating his course of action now that the Dodgers' season has concluded. His remarks were made during a brief, scattered press conference with numerous international journalists, where details about his health status remained unclear. When asked about potential offseason surgery, he did not specify which body part might require repair. This lack of clarity on his physical condition, coupled with the rapid questions from reporters, left several key points unaddressed.

Despite the ambiguity surrounding his health, Ohtani was clear about his desire to continue playing as a two-way player. "Of course, I feel like I want to continue [playing both ways]. Because of that, I want to have a good offseason," he said. He added, "I want to do my best so that I can have a better season [than this season]."

Ohtani was known to be experiencing discomfort in his right arm and left knee when placed on the injured list in September, issues that likely persisted into the playoffs. Manager Dave Roberts had previously stated that Ohtani was dealing with "everything. It’s the upper body. It’s the knee."

Given Ohtani's expressed desire and the Dodgers' opportunity to influence his approach, the team needs to act as partners rather than simply servants. Selling him on a dream scenario, such as Ohtani pitching a decisive Game 7 in the World Series, could be a way to guide his decisions. The Dodgers might achieve this by implementing a more spaced-out pitching schedule or by strategically holding him out as a pitcher in the early part of the season.

Ohtani's stated intention to continue as a two-way player, combined with the lingering questions about his physical readiness, presents a critical juncture for the Dodgers. The team must leverage this period to shape his plan, ensuring that his ambition aligns with a sustainable and effective approach for the upcoming season.