The Los Angeles Dodgers are moving on from their World Series triumph. The championship rings earned will be distributed on Opening Day, and the celebration parade that had fans rejoicing like it was 1988 has subsided. While securing a title with Shohei Ohtani is gratifying, it’s essential not to wait another 36 years for a celebration. The front office recognizes the necessity of accumulating more trophies, prompting them to strike deals with pitchers Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May ahead of the arbitration deadline.
The agreement with Gonsolin, as reported by Robert Murray (Fansided MLB), is worth $5.4 million. Jack Harris from the Los Angeles Times noted that May’s contract is set at $2.13 million, which is a reasonable arrangement considering both pitchers are on the mend from injuries.
Gonsolin and May will bolster the Dodgers’ pitching depth. Furthermore, Los Angeles stands to gain significantly this season with the designated hitter and the National League’s Most Valuable Player contributing heavily to the games. This support allows Ohtani to avoid taking on an excessive workload. The experience and dependability of Gonsolin and May will be crucial as they face the challenges inherent in MLB’s 162-game regular season.
Although both May (26) and Gonsolin (30) have undergone Tommy John surgery in recent years, they have displayed encouraging signs of becoming All-Stars for Los Angeles. The Dodgers opted not to extend offers to relief pitchers Brent Honeywell Jr. and Zach Logue, effectively releasing them into free agency.
This decision also opened up two spots on the team’s 40-man roster, granting management the flexibility to explore free agency options. Ohtani is subtly advocating for the recruitment of another standout Japanese player. Roki Sasaki’s potential move to the MLB has piqued the interest of his fellow countryman.
“I haven’t actively recruited him at all,” Ohtani remarked. “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 thrive wherever he ends up.”
With their futures secured, Gonsolin and May can look forward to another championship run with the restructured Dodgers.
Image Source: Tony Gonsolin @ Instagram
