*This content was translated by AI.
The overwhelming talent of just one player appears poised to shake the foundations of Major League Baseball (MLB) after this season concludes. Jealousy from other teams toward 'the two-way player' Shohei Ohtani (32, Los Angeles Dodgers) seems to be culminating in collective action to change roster regulations.
On the 14th (Korean time), Ohtani made a scheduled start against the San Francisco Giants at the UCLA Field at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA. He pitched seven innings, allowing four hits, striking out eight, walking two, and remaining scoreless, securing his third win of the season (with two losses). By not allowing any runs, he lowered his season ERA to 0.82, surpassing the required innings and ranking first among all MLB pitchers. This once again highlighted the terrifying prowess of 'pitcher Ohtani.' Thanks to Ohtani's performance, the Dodgers snapped their four-game losing streak.
However, beneath the Dodgers' victory, a peculiar atmosphere is brewing locally. This is because signs indicate efforts to put the brakes on Ohtani's two-way participation starting in the 2027 season. According to local media outlets such as USA Today, MLB general managers (GMs) plan to strongly request the league office to change the 'pitcher roster limit' regulation after this season ends. The reason is that the current 'Two-Way Player' registration benefits enjoyed by Ohtani provide an advantage to the Dodgers.
Under current MLB roster regulations, the pitcher roster is limited to a maximum of 13 players. However, Ohtani, who meets the two-way player criteria, is not included in the pitcher quota. Consequently, the Dodgers effectively enjoy the benefit of holding 14 pitchers. In response, figures from other teams, including Craig Counsell (56), manager of the Chicago Cubs, have already raised voices of criticism, calling it a "bizarre rule designed for a specific team." It now appears that concrete action is underway.
Local media and Dodgers fans are viewing this with cold eyes. In particular, 'Dodger Way,' which primarily covers Dodgers news, criticized this move by stating, "No one raised this issue when he was with the Angels." This points out the double standard: when Ohtani was a 'gem' for the overall MLB's popularity while playing as a two-way player for the lower-ranked Angels, he was revered; but now that he has become a powerful weapon for the championship-contending Dodgers, he is being targeted as a 'regulation subject.'
This is cited as a typical case of 'sweet to swallow, bitter to spit out.' When he contributed to expanding the league's overall pie, it was swallowed willingly (sweet to swallow); but now that his performance is bolstering the Dodgers' dominance, the intention is to spit it out (bitter to spit out).
If the roster regulations are changed as demanded by other teams, the 'strategic scarcity' that the Dodgers expected from their massive investment of $700 million (approximately 1.455 trillion won) will inevitably be significantly diluted.
The more Ohtani proves his value with his skills, the more cunning the jealousy and restraint directed at him become. It remains to be seen whether the roster regulation discussions scheduled after this season will devolve into a 'shootout against Ohtani' or become a process of establishing a new standard for the league.
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*This content was translated by AI.
