If You Think Ohtani Isn’t Worth $83, You Should Quit Fantasy Baseball

$83 for Ohtani? Absolutely, and Here’s Why

If you were to open our mixed league cheat sheet, one number would immediately pop off the page: $83. That’s the projected salary-cap value for Shohei Ohtani this season.

Eighty-three dollars?!? That’s not a misprint. That’s the price tag fantasy managers must pay to roster the most unique player in Major League Baseball history. Yes, it’s an eye-watering amount that represents a whopping 32% of a fantasy team’s total budget—nearly $30 more than any other player. But you know what? It’s still a bargain.

With Ohtani expected to return to the mound after recovering from his September 2023 elbow surgery, he is once again poised to dominate both as a hitter and a pitcher. That combination makes him a legitimate one-man fantasy wrecking crew. Let’s dive into why he is absolutely worth breaking the bank for in your fantasy baseball league.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Ohtani Is a Fantasy Unicorn

When healthy, Ohtani is simply untouchable. Consider his 2023 numbers before his injury:

• 653 fantasy points as a hitter (most in MLB)

• 183 strikeouts in 132 innings (elite ace-level production)

• 43 home runs, 95 RBIs, 20 stolen bases (MVP-level offensive stats)

Now, let’s take it a step further. The last time he pitched a full season (2022), Ohtani scored an absurd 831 total fantasy points. That was 124 more than the next-best player, Ronald Acuña Jr.—who had a historic 40/70 season.

For 2024, ESPN’s fantasy projections have him tallying 806 fantasy points, which is a jaw-dropping 244 more than the second-highest player, Aaron Judge (560). That’s not just value—it’s fantasy baseball dominance.

Optimizing Ohtani: How to Maximize His Fantasy Value

Ohtani is not a “draft and forget” type of player. He requires strategic roster management to get the most out of him. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use Him as a Pitcher on Start Days

Since Ohtani can only be used as either a hitter or a pitcher in ESPN leagues (but not both on the same day), it’s critical to deploy him strategically. The best play? Start him as a pitcher when he takes the mound.

The reason is simple: Starting pitchers generate more fantasy points per game than hitters. In fact, in 65 of his 74 starts from 2021-2023, he scored more fantasy points as a pitcher than as a hitter. In 40 of those games, he outscored his hitting total by at least 15 points.

2. Monitor the Dodgers’ Rotation Closely

The Dodgers will likely ease Ohtani into a six-man rotation to protect his arm, meaning he’ll pitch about once a week. Since his rotation schedule might shift, staying up-to-date on when he starts is crucial.

3. Flexibility is Key: Shift Him to DH Immediately

As soon as Ohtani finishes pitching, move him back into your DH slot. Every day he isn’t starting is a day he should be in your lineup mashing homers.

The Risks? Sure, But the Rewards Are Greater

Is there risk in paying $83 for Ohtani? Of course. His pitching workload is uncertain, and he’s coming off elbow surgery. But here’s the thing: Every elite player carries risk.

Let’s take a quick history lesson: Remember Christian McCaffrey’s 2020 fantasy football season? He was fresh off one of the greatest fantasy seasons ever, went No. 1 overall in nearly every league, then got injured and played just three games. Yet, did that stop fantasy managers from drafting him high again? Nope.

Ohtani is the same type of game-changing talent. The upside far outweighs the risk—especially when you consider that even if he misses pitching time, he’ll still be an elite hitter.

The Draft Strategy: Snake Draft vs. Salary Cap

Snake Draft: He’s the Undisputed No. 1 Pick

If you’re playing in a standard snake draft, there’s no debate. Ohtani is the No. 1 overall pick. His ceiling is too high to pass up. If your league allows daily lineup changes, Ohtani is a cheat code.

Salary Cap Leagues: The $83 Strategy

In a salary cap format, $83 is steep but justified. The key to landing Ohtani in this format? Use the “freeze bid” strategy.

Here’s how it works:

• The second Ohtani’s name is nominated, throw out an $83 bid immediately.

• This puts pressure on other managers. They’ll hesitate to go higher.

• Many won’t have the guts to spend 32% of their budget on one player.

If you land Ohtani for $83, you still have $177 left—plenty to build a strong team. And with waiver-wire gems always emerging, your $1 endgame picks will still provide value.

Counterpoint: The “Ohtani Isn’t Worth It” Argument (and Why It’s Wrong)

Some managers will argue: “I’d rather spread my money across multiple star players than spend $83 on one guy.” That’s a fair stance—but ultimately, a flawed one.

Why? Because no single player can match Ohtani’s value. Even if he misses some pitching starts, he will still be an elite hitter. And if he pitches at full strength? He single-handedly wins leagues.

There’s also the argument that “Ohtani’s pitching is a question mark.” While true to an extent, he doesn’t need to pitch at an elite level to justify his value. Even if he logs just 100 innings with a 3.50 ERA and 140 strikeouts, that’s still a fantasy ace’s production.

Final Verdict: Pay Up for Ohtani, Win Your League

Fantasy baseball is all about maximizing points. No player—not Ronald Acuña Jr., not Aaron Judge, not Juan Soto—offers the kind of dual-threat, game-breaking upside that Shohei Ohtani does.

Yes, $83 is a lot. But if Ohtani plays anywhere near his full potential, he is worth every single dollar. Championships are won by making bold moves. Draft Ohtani, dominate your league, and watch your opponents regret passing on him.