Cubs Manager Complains About Dodgers ‘Advantage’ While Missing the Obvious Point

Clear Facts

• Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell criticized MLB’s two-way player rule, claiming it gives the Dodgers an unfair advantage by allowing them to carry an extra pitcher
• The rule applies to any team with a two-way player like Shohei Ohtani, who is both an elite hitter and top-tier pitcher
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts responded that any team is welcome to find their own two-way player to gain the same benefit

The Los Angeles Dodgers are Major League Baseball’s biggest spending team. They’ve won back-to-back World Series championships. They play in one of the sport’s largest media markets and have a historic stadium that’s undergone extensive renovations to make it a desirable destination for free agents.

It’s widely believed they have the game’s largest analytics, scouting, and research department to identify talent. They were ahead of the curve on contract deferrals, allowing players to take salaries in other states after retirement to save on taxes while the organization pays marginally lower luxury tax bills.

There’s a reputation among players that the Dodgers are the best place to play, from their consistency in reaching the postseason to treating players and their families better than anyone. If there’s an advantage to be found, the Dodgers have found it.

And they have Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani is a human cheat code. One of the top two or three hitters in baseball, he decided to start stealing bases more often while recovering from arm surgery and put up the first ever 50-50 season in baseball history.

That would already make him one of the most valuable players in the sport. But he’s also a top-15 pitcher who, through three starts, has an ERA of 0.50.

And he creates another advantage for the Dodgers that opposing managers are complaining about.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently became the latest opposing manager to bring up the so-called Shohei Ohtani rule and how it gives Los Angeles an advantage. Because Ohtani is designated as a “two-way” player, he doesn’t count against the 13-pitcher roster limits that MLB has placed on teams.

Essentially, the Dodgers can carry an “extra” pitcher because Ohtani is treated differently. Counsell, whose team was not even playing the Dodgers, brought it up when asked about the roster limits.

“It’s a rule to help offense, I think, more than anything, if you ask me,” Counsell said.

“And then there’s one team that’s allowed to carry basically one of both, and that he gets special consideration. Which is probably the most bizarre rule. … For one team.”

“There’s not another player like that, but one team gets different rules for that player,” he added.

Well, here’s the thing about that. Any team could take advantage of this rule, were there other players who were capable of pitching and hitting.

The Cubs could decide to get, say, Pete Crow-Armstrong 20 innings on the mound, and he’d be eligible for the two-way player rule, the “Ohtani rule,” and give the Cubs the same benefit the Dodgers enjoy. But that’s obviously not going to happen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said as much in response.

“The thing is, it certainly benefits us, because we have the player,” Roberts told the media from Coors Field in Denver.

“But that’s something that, any team that had Ohtani would have that player.”

“We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.”

And this is where Counsell’s criticism falls so flat. This is not a rule designed to help the Dodgers.

In fact, it was created when Ohtani was on the Angels. Any other team could find and sign a two-way player.

They aren’t able to because what Ohtani is doing is virtually unprecedented.

Does it give the Dodgers a benefit? Yes. Does having Shohei Ohtani give the Dodgers a benefit? Yes.

Could every other team in baseball enjoy the same benefit? Also, yes.

That’s why it’s not unfair, and why Counsell’s complaints come off as sour grapes. The Dodgers built a winning organization through smart management, strategic investment, and finding exceptional talent.

Maybe other teams should try doing the same.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.