Market Data
The Dodgers Dynasty: The MLB Season to Watch
The 2023 MLB season was anything but ordinary, and this year promises to be even more electrifying. The largest contract in baseball history was signed, and it came with a twist: most of it was deferred. The world watched as the most famous player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, inked a historic deal with a megateam. This move sent shockwaves through the league and dominated headlines, making it easy to anoint Ohtani as the No. 1 pick in our annual list of the 50 Most Interesting People in Baseball. But this year, the intrigue surrounding Ohtani runs deeper as he attempts to return to both pitching and hitting—a feat that could redefine his legacy and captivate fans even more.
Shohei Ohtani: The Two-Way Phenom’s Comeback
Shohei Ohtani’s journey is always a subject of fascination, but this season, the stakes are higher. After a year of speculation about his future, Ohtani is back on the mound and in the batter’s box, aiming to prove that his two-way dominance is here to stay. His ability to excel in both roles is a rarity in modern baseball, and his success could redefine how teams approach player development and roster construction. But the question on everyone’s mind is: Can he stay healthy? Ohtani’s ability to perform at an elite level in both roles will not only determine his own legacy but could also shape the future of the game.
The Dodgers: Building a Superteam
The Los Angeles Dodgers have always been a force to be reckoned with, but this season, they have taken their dominance to new heights. Fresh off a championship, the Dodgers were far from content. Instead of resting on their laurels, they went all-in, adding even more talent to what was already the most loaded roster in baseball. The team’s payroll, including luxury tax penalties, is projected to approach a staggering half-billion dollars. This level of investment has drawn comparisons to the “Evil Empire” days of the New York Yankees, and it’s clear that the Dodgers are on a mission to build a dynasty. But with great power comes great expectation, and anything less than a World Series title will be considered a failure.
Mookie Betts and the Shortstop Experiment
One of the most intriguing storylines of the season is Mookie Betts’ transition to full-time shortstop. Betts, a perennial All-Star and one of the most versatile players in the game, is taking on a new challenge. The move has sparked debates about positional flexibility and the evolving nature of the game. Can Betts, a former MVP and Gold Glove outfielder, excel at one of the most demanding positions in baseball? If successful, this experiment could open doors for other players to explore new roles, potentially changing the way teams evaluate and develop talent.
Roki Sasaki: The Next Global Superstar
The MLB is no stranger to international talent, but Roki Sasaki’s highly publicized jump to the league has fans buzzing. The Japanese phenom is expected to make an immediate impact, and his arrival has been met with as much excitement as any prospect in recent memory. Sasaki’s bufsize fastball and electrifying pitching style have drawn comparisons to some of the greatest pitchers in the game. But the pressure is on—can he live up to the hype? If he does, he could join the likes of Ohtani and others as a global icon of the sport.
Clayton Kershaw, Dave Roberts, and the Quest for Glory
Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, is once again attempting to defy Father Time. The veteran ace has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ pitching staff for over a decade, and his decision to return for another season adds to the team’s already formidable roster. Meanwhile, manager Dave Roberts is under the microscope as he tries to lead this star-studded team to a championship. With no contract extension in place, Roberts faces immense pressure to deliver results. With a team this talented, anything less than 120 wins and a World Series title will be considered a disappointment.
The Supporting Cast: New Faces and Familiar Names
The Dodgers’ roster is a who’s who of baseball’s elite, and this year, they’ve added even more firepower. Korean star Hyeseong Kim has joined the fold, bringing with him a reputation for clutch hitting and defensive wizardry. He’s not alone—Tanner Scott, Blake Snell, and Kirby Yates are just a few of the new additions to this already-stacked roster. Together, they form a cast of characters that seems almost unfair to the rest of the league. And yet, despite all this talent, the Dodgers’ success is far from guaranteed. The 2024 season is shaping up to be one for the ages, and every team in the league knows they’ll have to go through Los Angeles if they want to win it all.
