Dodgers Interested in ‘At Least 3’ Japanese Players Coming to MLB Soon, Says Exec
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished up a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan against the Chicago Cubs, winning both games in an unprecedented Opening Day.
In what was historic for both teams given their Japanese representation, the Dodgers weren’t just focused on the game while overseas.
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It’s no secret the kind of ties the Dodgers have to Japan are deeper than baseball.
Manager Dave Roberts, reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani, Opening Day starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and 23-year-old phenom and Game 2 starter Roki Sasaki are all native to the country.
As much of an honor it was to play at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dodgers’ vice president of player personnel Galen Carr couldn’t help but talk about a few more Japanese prospects that he is hoping will one day don a Dodgers uniform.
“If you ask me about the next five years in Japan, I could name at least three really interesting names that we’re going to be looking at moving forward and have our eyes on,” Carr said to The LA Times.
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is no stranger to the kind of talent that has been rising through the ranks of Japan over the last decade or so. He revealed his goals for how he wants the next generation of Japanese talent to view the Dodgers as more standouts make the leap to MLB.
“In our ideal world, kids are growing up in Japan, watching Dodger games, being a fan of the team. And when they have a decision to make, that gives us some advantage in the process,” Friedman said.
When Ohtani inked his $700 million deal with L.A. in December 2023, Friedman talked about the idea of “painting Japan Dodger blue.” After seeing the kind of impact his team had in Japan, manager Dave Roberts believes that his team has done just that.
“I think our mission was accomplished,” said the skipper.
The future of Japanese baseball is bright, and the Dodgers front office will do whatever they can to ensure that it’s Blue.
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Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Who besides Murakami? Please tell us who they might be. Where would they play? The Dodgers have 18 legitimate starting pitchers for 2026. At most they could use one superior relief pitcher. At catcher they have Will Smith very, very long term and Dalton Rushing. 1st base SS and 3d base may open up in a few years. Edman looks good at 2d base for 5 years. Maybe 1 outfield spot could open up soon, another one 2-3 years out. Where are these Japanese players going to play? Why isn’t Dave Roberts speaking some words in Japanese at his press conferences in Tokyo? Where is his samurai sword?