Ken Rosenthal says quiet part out loud about ‘Ohtani Rule’ controversy

Shohei Ohtani is the only player in the MLB who can pitch and hit for his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and continue to hit after he is taken out of the game as a pitcher. While it is called the “Ohtani Rule,” any player or team could take advantage of it, but no other player in the league can physically do what Ohtani does.

If a copycat comes along that is a Cy Young-caliber pitcher and MVP-level hitter, they’ll be able to do it too. Until that happens, Ohtani has an advantage over every other player in the majors. It’s unfortunate for the other teams, but that’s why it might just be some sour grapes, according to Ken Rosenthal on Foul Territory, via X, formerly Twitter.

“They paid for that gift when they signed him as a free agent,” Rosenthal said. “Every team knew they’d get the advantage of a fourteenth pitcher if they signed him.”

Rosenthal pointed out that the teams complaining about the rule all had the chance to sign Ohtani. It is particularly ironic when teams like the Toronto Blue Jays complain about some of the rules surrounding Ohtani, as they were a finalist for his services but were left at the altar at the last minute.

The point Rosenthal is making is that the same teams that don’t like the Ohtani rules would be utilizing those same rules if they had signed the superstar. The only answer for those teams is to either accept the advantage or start scouting for Ohtani’s successor.

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