The Los Angeles Dodgers have pulled off what many consider to be the most significant free-agent signing of this era by securing the commitment of Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani, who was previously with their cross-town rivals, the Los Angeles Angels.
The elite pitcher and designated hitter inked the largest professional contract in sports history, totaling an impressive $700 million over the span of ten years to play for the seven-time World Series champions.
In addition to bringing Ohtani on board, the Dodgers have also successfully acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays in a blockbuster trade.
Following the move, Glasnow signed a lucrative five-year contract extension worth $136.5 million to commit in Los Angeles.
However, despite successfully adding two of the best players in the sport to their roster, the Dodgers still face potential challenges and issues that could impact their performance in the upcoming 2024 MLB season.
Let's take a look at the challenges that the Dodgers might encounter in the 2024 season.
3 Problems LA Could Face in 2024 Despite Shohei Ohtani Signing
1. Shohei Ohtani's health
Ohtani's $700 million contract is attributed to his exceptional two-way skills in both pitching and hitting. However, in the upcoming 2024 season, he will only be able to contribute in one of these aspects.
The 29-year-old sustained a torn UCL injury on his right elbow towards the end of the last season, preventing him from pitching this year. Consequently, the Dodgers are restricted to leveraging only one dimension of his game and must exercise caution to avoid long-term damage on his health.
The injury could also affect the two-time American League Most Valuable Player's prowess as a designated hitter, but only time will tell how much.
2. Relief pitchers
The team still needs to bolster its relief pitcher lineup ahead of the 2024 season.
Shelby Miller performed well when in good health, and Ryan Brasier underwent a significant transformation after departing from the Red Sox. However, both players are currently unsigned.
Given the strong showings from both relief pitchers last season, there's a chance that their market values might be too high for the Dodgers' budget, raising uncertainty about the team's reliever lineup.
Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol continue to show inconsistency despite excelling in securing late-inning situations in 2023, and the Dodgers need to find an answer for this.
3. The corner outfielder role
Seven-time MLB All-Star Mookie Betts is set to make the transition to a full-time second baseman role for the upcoming 2024 season, and the Dodgers' outfield lineup appears to be on the thinner side.
Although there is potential in promising young players like Jonny Deluca, Michael Busch, and Miguel Vargas, their capabilities remain unproven at the major league level.
Securing at least one dependable outfielder in free agency becomes crucial for the team to reinforce their outfield roster.
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