The Los Angeles Dodgers got Shohei Ohtani for $700 million, but that doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t pursue other free agents.
To the contrary: they designed Ohtani’s contract in such a way that allowed them to spend more on improving the roster this season and for the next 10 years.
Since he will earn $20 million in his 10-year contract with the Dodgers and defer the remaining $680 over the next 10 years after the contract is up, LA remains a big player in the free-agent market.
They have their sights set on Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
They need to reinforce their rotation with multiple pieces and Yamamoto, who posted a 1.21 ERA in 164 innings with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan this season, is the best arm available.
They met with the pitcher on Tuesday, and pulled out all the stops according to reports.
“Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman all attended yesterday’s Dodgers meeting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per @FabianArdaya,” Talkin’ Baseball tweeted.
Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman all attended yesterday’s Dodgers meeting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per @FabianArdaya pic.twitter.com/9z4yWbZp0S
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 13, 2023
While the New York Mets sent Steve Cohen and David Stearns to recruit him, and the Yankees had Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman, and Randy Levine, the Dodgers sent their star-studded core to help convince Yamamoto that he could be about to join something really special.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there is still no indication of Yamamoto’s plans, or if he even has a favorite.
There are other teams in the race in addition to those mentioned in this article, too.
The Dodgers, however, had a pretty good idea that could have swung the momentum toward their side.
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