Positive News: Los Angeles Dodgers Linked To The Next Big 2-Way Player

he Los Angeles Dodgers‘ aggressive offseason approach has led to all sorts of fantastical prognostications about what they might be up to next. In the latest version of that Ken Rosenthal has identified what he called, “the most Dodgers thing ever,” — adding another two-way player.

Rosenthal: The Most Dodgers Move Ever?

Journeyman relief pitcher, Michael Lorenzen and his agent, Ryan Hamill are exploring an ambitious plan to designate him as a two-way player in 2025. This strategy, while intriguing, faces significant challenges given Lorenzen’s limited hitting experience in recent years.“[Agent Ryan] Hamill, according to sources briefed on his conversations, is talking with clubs about signing Lorenzen, getting him the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status, and then flipping him to a contender that would benefit from carrying him as a 14th pitcher,” Rosenthal wrote.

The 32-year-old pitcher has not had a meaningful at-bat since 2019, raising questions about his ability to transition into a two-way role. While the concept is exciting, teams may be hesitant to invest in a player with such a limited track record as a hitter.

But why does Rosenthal think it would be a quintessential Dogders, move other than the far too obvious link to the league’s only other two-way player, Shohei Ohtani?

“Teams that employ large numbers of platoons might not consider keeping an extra pitcher an advantage,” Rosenthal explains. “But teams with fairly set lineups might welcome the spare arm. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be in that position next season if, as expected, Ohtani resumes pitching. If they then traded for a two-way Lorenzen, they could choose from among 15 pitchers. Which would be the most Dodgers thing ever.”