Perennial Shohei Ohtani debate might actually hold some weight after Dodgers’ mismanagement

Shohei Ohtani's unicorn status may soon be coming to an end. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar has just one RBI and three extra-base hits since August 18, and his lack of production could force Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to remove him from the starting lineup before Game 3 of the NLCS. But something even more drastic — yet necessary — could be on the horizon. Is it finally time for Ohtani to give up pitching?

Yes, yes, this is the same debate that rages on every time Ohtani endures a week-long slump or lands on the injured list (even if it was something as simple as a hangnail or splinter). But this time, that debate might actually have legs.

The podcast crew from Foul Territory took to the airwaves following the Dodgers' Game 2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and former catcher A.J. Pierzynski gave his thoughts on Ohtani's future.

"I said it when he signed the contract. 'How many years until he doesn't pitch anymore?'" Pierzynski said before concluding the segment by asking a simple question, "At some point, is the juice worth the squeeze?"

If the Brewers continue to manhandle the Dodgers the way they have through the first two games of the series, the LA could have the answer to Pierzynski's question by the weekend.

If the Dodgers are sitting at home and watching the World Series from the couch this year, mismanaging Ohtani's workload will be one of the biggest reasons why and they'll have consider his two-way role going forward.

This could be the last year Shohei Ohtani pitches for the Dodgers

If you want to know why no other player in Major League Baseball plays both ways like Ohtani, what you're seeing from the Dodgers star right now during the postseason is the clearest answer you're ever going to get. It's simply not sustainable.

When people have this discussion, no one is doubting Ohtani's raw ability to pitch at a Cy Young level and hit like an MVP; he's proven that he can do that. But baseball, more than any other sport, is about the grind.

Only seven players appeared in all 162 games this season. Read that again. Only seven of approximately 1,400 players appeared in every game this season. That's 0.5%. And even this year's iron men felt the wear and tear of 162.

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson hit just .222/.255/.378 during the month of September. Former MVP Bryce Harper put up a decent slash line (.272/.340/.380), but his 98 wRC+ during the final month of the season was 37 points lower than his season mark. Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart, even at 22 years old, looked exhausted by September and it showed (.247/.287/.280).

When you look at some of those numbers, and know that Ohtani was not only in the Dodgers lineup, but also on the mound, you can understand why what he's doing is so difficult to maintain at the highest level.

In order for Ohtani to be great at his craft, he has to be in the training room, in the batting cage, in the bullpen, etc. with regularity. When you're performing at the top of your game the way Ohtani does, there are no shortcuts.

It's honestly a testament to his greatness that he's been able to sustain this level of success for as long as he has. But at some point, it's not going to be worth it anymore.

Far be it from us or anyone else outside the Dodgers organization to tell Ohtani that he has to give up pitching in 2027. That's a discussion for him, Roberts, Andrew Friedman, and the rest of the Dodgers' braintrust.

But we can say this; if operating as a starting pitcher resulted in Ohtani suffering an injury (and it did), and if that injury limited his effectiveness to perform up to his lofty standards at the plate (and it did) ... At the very least, it's time to start having the conversation.

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