Dodgers Front Office Says Ohtani Doesn't Need Surgery and Will Pitch Next Season, as His Topps Update Rookie Falls in Price
Andrew Friedman expects Ohtani to pitch in 2027 after doctors ruled out surgery, while his 2018 Topps Update rookie in PSA 10 has slid since late September.
Ohtani is on a path to cementing himself as an all-time great. That's no secret. He is the modern-day Babe Ruth, but injuries have set him back this season, when the Dodgers shut him down on the mound and his performance at the plate was not up to his usual GOAT status. He hadn't pitched since July 3rd, and until his monster bomb in Game 4 of the postseason against the Brewers, he hadn't gone yard since August. Before his knee and biceps pain, he posted an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA.
In a press conference on Wednesday, October 21, Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said, "I fully expect him to pitch next year," while covering end-of-season news.
Ohtani's Topps Update rookie PSA 10 prices fell from around $500 in late September to between $362 and $492 from October 15 to 19. This price drop likely reflects his cold postseason and worries about him continuing to be a dual-threat for next season.
The Dodgers' front office says Ohtani doesn't need surgery, which could put him in the rotation to start the year. That would be a huge boost for his card prices. Especially his PSA 10 rookie card.
With the impending lockout, card prices for MLB veterans are worth keeping an eye on. Prices are likely to dip during the labor stoppage and expect further drawdowns if the lockout starts and lasts into the regular season. We are still a long way from worrying about the labor stoppage affecting the season so I wouldn't worry about it right now, but the lockout is the most interesting storyline in the MLB card market after the Rays and Brewers World Series that USA Today's Bob Nightengale said "could lead to the lowest ratings in World Series history."