Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Expected to Be at Rams Game Thursday Night
Shohei Ohtani is establishing himself as the best recruiter in Major League Baseball. The Dodgers’ newest star has already helped recruit Tyler Glasnow to Los Angeles, and it seems he’s just getting started.
Ohtani has been actively recruiting the No. 1 free agent still on the market, Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and on Thursday he’s taking it to the next level.
Ohtani is reportedly going to be at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night for the Los Angeles Rams-New Orleans Saints game. According to multiple reports, Ohtani has a special guest joining him: Yamamoto. A source confirmed this fact to Dodgers Nation.
Yamamoto is being recruited by all the big-market teams, and reports have indicated his contract could exceed $300 million. Jack Harris of the LA Times reported that the Dodgers are willing to offer him a contract in the $250 to $300 million range, which could be enough to lure him to Los Angeles.
At this point, it seems like the money will be there no matter what for Yamamoto, so he just has to decide where he wants to play.
If he wants to play alongside his World Baseball Classic teammate in Ohtani, and play for what could become the league’s most popular team — especially in Japan — the Dodgers could be the answer.
However, the New York Yankees and Mets are making a strong push for him, among other teams, as well.
Yamamoto has until Jan. 4 to make his decision, meaning we’re in the last two weeks of his sweepstakes. The Dodgers seem to be making a huge push to lure him to Los Angeles, and have Ohtani at the center of it all.
UPDATE:
Yamamoto was on the guest list, but won’t be able to make it to the game.
Click here for the updated information.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Will they be taking a private jet to get there?