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![Mandatory Credit: Kyle Schwab-USA TODAY Sports](https://dodgersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22040573_168396005_lowres-780x470.jpg?ezimgfmt=ng%3Awebp%2Fngcb2%2Frs%3Adevice%2Frscb2-1)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shocked the baseball world on Tuesday when he candidly spoke about the Dodgers’ pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. Roberts did not only say that Ohtani was the Dodgers’ top priority this offseason, but he also revealed that the team met with him at Dodger Stadium a few days ago. This candidness not only went against the habit of every public-facing Dodger official, but also seemed to go against Ohtani’s desire to have privacy and secrecy surrounding his free agency.
Dodger fans were sent into a panic following Roberts’ statements, but were able to calm down a bit in the aftermath of the whole thing. Now there are questions.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes addressed the media shortly after Roberts, and said he was “surprised” the manager spoke so openly about Ohtani.
Both Gomes and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman have declined to comment on any Ohtani matters throughout the off-season, stating they couldn’t talk about specific free agents. Roberts seems to have ignored that rule, unless he believes it doesn’t apply to managers.
Is it possible that Roberts hurt the Dodgers’ chances of signing Shohei Ohtani this offseason by speaking so openly? Probably not.
But what initially felt like a non-issue is now starting to feel a little more serious due to the reactions of Friedman and Gomes.
Photo Credit: Kyle Schwab-USA TODAY Sports
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