Dodgers Rumors: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Reportedly Wants to Pitch on MLB’s ‘Biggest Stage’
Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the talk of the baseball world right now, and the Dodgers are one of the most serious teams interested in his services. Yamamoto would front-line the L.A. starting rotation for years, and the front office seems focused on landing him.
The two sides met last week at Dodger Stadium, and the team pulled out all the stops. They had multiple players partake in the meeting, including new Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani and Yamamoto know each other well from their time together with Team Japan, and his presence spoke volumes.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even said that Ohtani has been recruiting Yamamoto to join the team. But ultimately, it will come down to where he feels most comfortable because the money will be there from whichever team he chooses.
MLB Insider Jon Morosi of MLB Network has reported that Yamamoto has a strong desire to play on the biggest stage in the big leagues. He pitched on the smaller team in Japan and wants to take center stage under the bright lights.
Yamamoto wants to embrace the big stage, and it makes sense why the biggest markets around the country are in on him. The Dodgers, along with both New York teams, are seen as the frontrunners for his services this winter.
Both Los Angeles and New York offer Yamamoto the chance to take center stage within the United States, so it just really depends on which coast he prefers to play on. There have been reports that Yamamoto grew up a fan of the Dodgers and that he may prefer the West Coast — which could end up helping L.A.
There has also been some talk about whether or not Yamamoto would pick the Dodgers, as he would be “under the shadow of Ohtani” in L.A. However, the Dodgers would provide him the chance to be their ace while also giving him the best chance to compete for World Series titles.
It remains to be seen where Yamamoto will end up, but he is the most coveted man in baseball now that Ohtani is off the market.
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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If they can sign Yamamoto along with shohei that would be like having Batman and Robin that’d be a lot of fun to watch so I say Yamamoto come on down to dodge your town
Ohtani will be recruiting him like he did Glasnow. I hope Kershaw stays around for the festivities.
And gets his coveted 3,000 Ks….
LA or New York. The only destinations I see him going. He commands attention and rightfully so. Ohtani and Yamamoto will almost be like Kershaw and Grienke as they were both considered aces 1A and 1B but given Ohtani’s health, maybe down the line we can see Yamamoto pitch 8 innings and have Ohtani close it out. Hopefully he comes to LA to see that tandem play out.
He’s not going to the Mets They are a disaster
The Yankees not much better with 4 DHs
The Dodgers ARE the “big stage”
He not even going to LA. He will be signed to NY Team. $900M 10years contract.
Wow that’s more money than othani is making. I don’t see any team paying that much . I say about $350m for about 8yrs hopefully the yanks.
Lol, you have no idea what you are talking about.
No way he goes to Mets. They have zero chance at winning a title. That leaves the Yankees and Dodgers. Take away Judge and it’s a no brainer where he ends up. I would bet the family farm he ends up a Dodger.
Oh did I mention Ohtani is a Dodger?
As big a Dodgers fan as I am, and I am, I’ve got to think the team from the Bronx is the biggest stage. Dodgers would probably be #2, with Bosox and the Cubs just behind. I think after that it’s who?
Actually gladly your wrong. With the addition of Ohtani, our games will be shown on an international spotlight never seen in the mlb. Ohtanis press conference had more viewership than this years World Series. You need to remember that we will now have a whole country, if not continent rooting for us and watching every game live. Our tv numbers are gonna go through the roof. The dodgers are the premiere team to watch and fox and ESPN will be vying to put us on national tv more than any other , not to mention we’ve had the highest attendance for about a decade and by a great margin from the rest of every mlb team. Times have changed and for good or for worse, we have the biggest eyes on us in the mlb as well as the biggest target on our back like the early 2000s Yankees. We’re the premiere franchise currently in all of mlb and the ohtani signing only solidified that.
you remember who was in the world series…right?
Yup and my point still stands. The dodgers are now a global brand that gets more views than any other team, even if it’s a World Series lol. Imagine how many more views this upcoming World Series will be with us in it!
Teammates
Brothers in Blue
The Blues Brothers
The biggest stage is a Dodgers vs Yankees World Series!
BUT, he must decide if he can beat Ohtani, or should he join him instead?
If he joins anyone other than the Dodgers he may be doomed to losing the WS every year until he retires.
Both Los Angeles, where I was born and grew up, and lived until I was in my 20s, and NYC have both become horrible places to live for obvious reasons. Yamamoto and wants to play “on the big stage”, and either will work. But if were him, I’d certainly chose Los Angeles just for the weather, large Japanese population and cultural history. He would also avoid the merciless and ruthless nature of the NY fans. Let’s hope he chooses L.A.
Agree with other commentators who urge Yamamoto to sign with the Dodgers. Biggest factor? I think it is the advertising money that Yamamoto would make in Hollywood and it’s advertising media. This is something I am sure Ohtani pitched, and I think that factor alone would tip the scales toward the Dodgers!