The Los Angeles Dodgers have already progressed past their victory in the World Series. The rings they earned will be handed out on Opening Day, and the parade that saw fans celebrating like it was 1988 has quieted down. While winning one championship with Shohei Ohtani is satisfying, it would be unacceptable to wait another 36 years for a celebration. The management understands the importance of adding more trophies to their collection, which is why they reached agreements with pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May before the arbitration deadline.
The deal between Gonsolin and the World Series champions, as revealed by Robert Murray (Fansided MLB), amounts to $5.4 million. According to Jack Harris (Los Angeles Times), May’s contract is valued at $2.13 million, offering a fair compromise for everyone given that both pitchers are recovering from injuries.
Gonsolin and May will enhance the pitching depth of the Los Angeles team. In addition to this, the Dodgers will benefit from this season’s designated hitter and the National League’s Most Valuable Player contributing significantly in the games. With this support, Ohtani and the Dodgers can avoid burdening the superstar with a strenuous workload. The experience and reliability of Gonsolin and May will be valuable assets as they navigate through the challenges of MLB’s 162-game regular season.
Despite both May (26) and Gonsolin (30) undergoing Tommy John surgery in recent years, they have shown promising signs of potential as All-Stars for Los Angeles. The Dodgers decided to not extend offers to relief pitchers Brent Honeywell Jr. and Zach Logue, effectively releasing them as free agents.
This move also created two vacant spots on the team’s 40-man roster, providing flexibility for the management to explore options in free agency. Ohtani is subtly endorsing the recruitment of the next prominent Japanese player. Roki Sasaki’s transition to the MLB has caught the attention of his Japanese compatriot.
“I haven’t actively recruited him at all,” Ohtani stated. “He is a friend, and we engage in occasional discussions about baseball and life. I will support his decision on which team he chooses to sign with, and I believe he will excel wherever he lands.”
Now Gonsolin and May can relax, knowing they are not required to seek opportunities elsewhere this offseason. They can anticipate another shot at a championship with the revamped Dodgers.
Image Source: Tony Gonsolin @ Instagram
