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The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat right now, and they seem like they’re still swinging for the fences by trying to sign Kyle Tucker. However, if they don’t land him, they’ll need a backup plan to stay the top team in the MLB.
Fansided’s Chris Landers believes the Dodgers should take a look at NPB superstar Kazuma Okamoto, a solid contact hitter and teammate of Shohei Ohtani on Team Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
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“Unlike with Toronto, firepower is not a concern for this Los Angeles team; they don't need to immediately scramble for the next best bat on the market regardless of fit. Instead, Andrew Friedman should continue to prioritize versatility, and Okamoto would be a weapon in the mold of guys like Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim. He can play left if you need, though it's his worst position defensively. He can also spell two aging sluggers, Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman, at third and first base, respectively, while serving as a potential replacement for Muncy if he moves on in free agency next winter,” Landers wrote.
In 11 NPB seasons, Okamoto has slashed .277/.361/.521/.882 with 212 doubles, 248 home runs, and 717 RBI in 1074 games played. His contact bat would see him hit for many RBI, and he himself would score a lot of runs with all the power bats of the Dodgers.
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Another plus is he would be relatively cheap, at least compared to other contracts on the Dodgers. With that in mind, it makes even more sense for the two sides to come to a deal.
For Dodgers fans, hopefully this happens. It would cement them as the best team in the MLB and one of the best dynasties of all time.
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