The Los Angeles’ Dodgers decision to sign star two-way player Shohei Ohtani to a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract sent shockwaves throughout the MLB world.
The fact that Ohtani is deferring $680 million of that total until his contract expires added a whole new layer to this. It gives Los Angeles a whole heck of a lot of flexibility in MLB free agency and on the trade block.
Los Angeles had in the past been linked to Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He’s the top remaining free agent on our big board after Ohtani landed with the Dodgers.
We now have some more information on this courtesy of Russell Dorsey of Bally Sports. The insider reports that Yamamoto is in fact meeting with the Dodgers on Tuesday.
This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. Even after landing Ohtani, it was a widespread belief that the Dodgers were looking to acquire at least two more front-line starting pitchers. That obviously includes Yamamoto.
Related: Five thoughts on the landmark, $700 million deal between Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers not done after adding Shohei Ohtani
It must be noted that Yamamoto already met with the New York Mets, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. The Toronto Blue Jays are also among the teams in on the sensation from Japan.
It could very well come down to money. Previous reports suggested that Yamamoto is likely to receive north of $250 million on a contract. That number could now very well reach $300 million given the market dynamics we’re seeing around baseball this offseason.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats (in Japan): 75-30 record, 1.72 ERA, 0.92 WHIP
Considered the best pitcher to make his way over from Asia to North America, Yamamoto translates into being a No. 1 option at the MLB level. He’s a 25-year-old pitcher with a 97 mph fastball and three other plus pitches (cutter, curveball and splitter).
As for the Dodgers, the rotation remains very much a need. Los Angeles’ current rotation consists of a player in Walker Buehler who is coming off Tommy John Surgery. Bobby Miller is the only returning member of the rotation to have pitched north of 100 innings with a sub-4.00 ERA last season. Ryan Pepiot and Emmet Sheehan are also in the mix. They have combined for 43 starts at the MLB level.
Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw is currently a free agent. He’s expected to miss most of the 2024 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery. Julio Urias is also a free agent. But his off-field issues make it unlikely that the pitcher returns to Los Angeles next season.
In addition to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles has been linked to another top-end free agent in that of reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell. It has also been linked to Tyler Glasnow (Tampa Bay Rays), Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) and Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers) on the MLB trade block.