After leaving Milwaukee without a win, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a massive problem in the form of Shohei Ohtani, the former two-way MVP who hasn't pitched in over a month and has had his offensive production zapped by injuries.

To his credit, Dave Roberts has shown a willingness to put all options on the table, including the decision to actually bench Ohtani if he isn't healthy enough to play to his usual standard, but would the Dodgers actually make such a radical move?

Well, in the opinion of Stephen A. Smith on ESPN's First Take, the answer should be no, as he has one simple cardinal rule: If a player is signed to a $700 million contract, they need to figure it out.

“I just have a cardinal rule. I ain't benching nobody I'm paying $700 million,” Smith declared. “$700 million. $700 million. I'm not benching. Oh, you gonna play, you gonna go out there. I don't give a d**n if you embarrass yourself. You gonna find a way to do something. If you get paid $700 million, that's where I'm at with that.”

Now granted, it's not like Ohtani is purposely trying to play poorly for the Dodgers, as if he had his way, he'd be running to the batter's box after pitching the first inning to lead off. But fortunately for LA, Smith believes they have one silver lining in this situation who is as qualified as anyone to figure this out: Dave Roberts.

“Dave Roberts is a great, great, great manager. Reigning two-time World Series Champion,” Smit said. “Oh, by the way, three in his career, five trips to the World Series. Figure it out! Find a way for your $700 million man to be productive.”

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