Reflections from the Relaxation Station, where the beer is always cold and the climate controlled, though somewhat heated at times.
Now that the Dodgers have decided to take the bandage off Shohei Ohtani’s right arm, adding yet another dimension to the talent of the planet’s best player, you would think his days as a base-stealer are about over. The numbers, so far, at least indicate as much as the Dodgers prepare to add Ohtani to their starting rotation.
Last year while hitting 54 home runs, Ohtani stole a ridiculous 59 bases in only 63 attempts (an even more ridiculous 94 percent) — and a lot of baseball folks questioned the wisdom of exposing such a talent on the base paths. Through the first 10 days of 2025, Ohtani was 2-for-3, at least an indication his days of imitating Rickey Henderson are over.
But we shall see. The Dodgers do some things differently than the rest of the baseball world.
In the meantime, it’s already documented that the Dodgers can win a World Series without Ohtani on the mound. I guess the question now is: Can they win one with him on the mound? It’s hard to imagine a six-man rotation that wasn’t necessitated by an injury or another breakdown, although it is rather commonplace in Japan. Neither applies in this case, so I’m guessing the Dodgers are hedging their bets against an injury, rather than introducing a six-man rotation to America.
But, as noted, the Dodgers are out of step with the rest of Major League Baseball, so we shall see.
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On the opposite end of the Dodgers spectrum, it is documented that while the Orioles can make the playoffs with Grayson Rodriguez, it is likewise almost assured they cannot get there without him. You might wonder where he fits into a rotation that already has five starters, with a sixth in Kyle Gibson waiting in the wings at Triple-A Norfolk, but that’s easy.
Rodriguez is the No. 1 the O’s have been trying to groom for the last decade without much success. There have been bona fide qualifiers along the way, but none have survived, with injury taking the best candidate, Dylan Bundy, to the sideline, while Kevin Gausman didn’t survive the major-minor league shuffle in time to avoid being a trade chip at a bad time.
While the return of Rodriguez remains the Orioles’ top priority, it is not lonely at the top. The next two months are going to tell a lot about this team and, personally, I’m more concerned about an offense that is alternately explosive and erratic, with the latter term the leader in the clubhouse at this point.
The Orioles need to find a consistent lineup with their young prospects, too many of whom are struggling to find their way.
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For what it’s worth, here’s my take on the 14-year, $500 million deal the Blue Jays gave Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: In years past, 10 years was the longest teams would go, but now it’s the age-40 year that seems to rule the roost.
The average annual salary for 14 years works out to $35.7 million per year, which seems to fit the current market and sets up Guerrero for life. But, here’s how I think the Blue Jays are looking at this deal: $50 million per for benefits (hopefully) across the next 10 years. The $70 million spread over the last two years? Chump change part of the investment.
There hasn’t been one of these 10-plus-year deals that I know of that has paid off for the duration of the contract. And, as good as he is, I don’t expect Guerrero to be the exception. Somewhere down the road someone might break the trend, but I’d bet against it until somebody proves me wrong.
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With the numbers he can put up in so many departments, Shohei Ohtani is going to be an annual MVP candidate, much like Mike Trout was, regardless of where his team finishes. There’s no doubt the Dodgers’ two-way star is the best player in the game and maybe all time.
But Ohtani has a teammate who may not only be the most versatile but also the second-best player in the game. Ohtani got most of the attention early, but the guy making the most noise with his walk-off hits and stellar all-around play was Mookie Betts, who just might be the second-best player in the game, regardless of what the stats say.
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The Red Sox have the best starting pitcher in the AL East (Garrett Crochet) and what looks like the best lineup. Early on, I’d make them favorites to win the division.
Watching and listening to Yankees games in the first week of the season, I heard the lead announcer tell his audience that he heard the Orioles had actually offered Corbin Burnes “a little” higher average salary than what it took for the Diamondbacks to make a deal. I also saw a lot of promo announcements for Yankees games in Baltimore at the end of the month. Wasn’t surprised by the latter.
Remember when the Red Sox were sentimental American League favorites because they went almost a century without winning the World Series? Well, they’ve won three this century, which gives them nine, tied for third most in history. The last time they did it, the Sox went from worst to first in their division. If you believe in omens, the Red Sox finished last a year ago.
The Dodgers are so heavily favored to repeat this year it’s off the charts, but the Phillies showed there is life outside the NL West.
Most surprising start of the season: Angels, kudos to Ron Washington.
Most disappointing start: Reds, but expect Terry Francona to change that.
Jim Henneman can be contacted at JimH@pressboxonline.com.
Photo Credits: Kenya Allen and Colin Murphy/PressBox
Originally published April 16, 2025