How Shohei Ohtani Snubbing the Dodgers Could Severely Impact the New York Yankees

The Los Angeles Dodgers are salivating at the prospect of having Shohei Ohtani onboard. That said, the two-way phenom might have other plans. Consider this: The hottest free agent of 2023 and the Dodgers are not on the same page about their collaboration. If this were to happen, it could affect more than just the two parties involved.

It is no secret that the New York Yankees are closely eyeing the Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Though as per sources, they are the most competitive for him in the league, one cannot rule out the others in contention; which, of course, includes the Dodgers as well. So what happens if Ohtani turns his back toward the NL heavyweights?

What Happens if the Dodgers Move Away From Shohei Ohtani?

Considering the Dodgers’ pitching requirement, the next best player to fit in well would be none other than Yamamoto. While the options of the RHP are open, the Yanks lean toward adding him to the lineup. But in the offset chance of Ohtani not signing with the Dodgers, it would greatly shake the strategy in the Bronx.

Apart from that, there have been a few advancements that might give an insight into what the situation would be if the unicorn does plan to relocate from southern California. It’s known that Ohtani wears a number 17 jersey. As per the latest reports, the 17-numbered pitcher, Joe Kelly, signed with the Dodgers. Is it safe to say that this move has made the chances bleak for the ace to join the Boys in Blue? If this wasn’t enough evidence, there is yet another perspective to look at.

The Dodgers are in dire need of pitchers, however, due to Ohtani’s right elbow surgery owing to a UCL tear will keep him away from pitching till 2025. The doubt here is whether the team can afford to wait for Sho-time to pitch again. Speculatively, this poses another layer of uncertainty in the Ohtani-Dodgers collaboration, paving the way for the Orix Buffaloes star.

Do the Yankees Have Another Player in the Mix?

While the mystery of Yamamoto signing with the Yankees remains unresolved, the latter is looking closely at a Dominican. The 25-year-old Juan Soto seems like a top prospect for the Yanks. So much so that there have been reports about preliminary conversations advancing with Soto’s San Diego Padres. While the Friars make high demands in lieu of trading Soto to New York, there hasn’t been much progress in that area either.

Read More: Shohei Ohtani Breaks Baseball: A $600M Possibility and His Monumental Impact Beyond the Basepaths

Will the Yankees choose Yamamoto or Soto or both? Which team could Ohtani land in? How will the mega-franchise’s decision affect their present-day lineup? Well, these are questions that can be answered only as events progress with time. While the MLB world waits for an official statement, it is worth predicting the next course of action for the Yankees and the Dodgers.

Watch This Story: Shohei Ohtani’s Two-Way Dream: Before Injury, He Always Wanted Both!