Dodgers Rumors: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Agent Drops Huge Update on Pitcher’s Desires for New Team
The Dodgers are expected to be major players on the free agent market this winter in their attempt to upgrade their pitching staff. They were burned by injuries and poor performances last season, and it cost them in the playoffs.
One name that LA has a major interest in is Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was just recently posted to start negotiating with MLB teams. Yamamoto has front-line starter stuff on the mound, and he would instantly boost the Dodgers rotation.
There has been much speculation about what Yamamoto is looking for, with the thought that he prefers playing on the West Coast. However, the agent for Yamamoto did express that his client has a desire to play alongside other Japanese players, as well.
It remains to be seen if this helps or hurts the Dodgers chances of signing Yamamoto since they don’t currently have any Japanese players on their roster. But the team is heavily linked to Japanese two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this winter.
If Yamamoto is waiting until after the winter meetings to sign with a team, he likely wants to see where Ohtani ends up signing. The Dodgers are the current frontrunners to sign Ohtani, but we also don’t know how Ohtani feels about playing alongside another Japanese star.
The priority for the Dodgers is Ohtani, and if they were to land him, it would be the biggest signing of the offseason. But if Ohtani is open to playing alongside someone like Yamamoto, the Dodgers would jump all over it.
There has been talk about LA trying to land both Ohtani and Yamamoto this offseason, and landing them would be a game-changer for the team. Hopefully, the Dodgers can get at least one of, if not, both Japanese stars to give themselves a solid chance to win the World Series next season and beyond.
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
The Dodgers should risk it all and sign both of them. That excitement might encourage Kershaw to hang around too.
It is much easier to trade for offense.
Yeah let’s watch Kershaw sit on the DL till August… then comeback in time for the playoffs and get boat raced again ???
You said that signing Ohtani is the priority but Friedman has consistently said that getting starting pitching is the priority. In terms of ehat the team needs acwuiring a DH is low on the priority list.
The Dodgers need to bring in Ohtani and Yamamoto , then make a trade for either Corbin Burnes or Dylan Cease . Getting offense can happen after filling out pitching!
Both players will be Texas Ramgers next season. All the posts are smoke and mirrors. If they want to wear a ring…it will be in Texas.
I hope not. They don’t need to spend that crazy amount of money on 2 players. If they played their cards right they could wind up with 2 front line pitchers, a shutdown closer, a couple more good innings guys & a designated hitter for much less than those 2 guys. Let the Dodgers put that money out on 2 players. Their offense would still have to beat their opponents pitching & I believe the Rangers could wind up with 4 starters that would be very difficult to beat. Oh, yeah, the Rangers still have the kick butt offense in MLB. And, we know how easily a huge dollar arm can go down & be wasted for 1-2 years.
It would be great to see Ohtani and Yamamoto on the L A Dodgers roster team next season, we need to put a little more excitement on the field, and I’m sure Dave Robert’s would have no problem on the way he puts a line-up together. I would also like to see Cory Seager and Mike Trout in the line-up for strength, go big Blue!!
Does Roberts speak any Japanese? Yes, sign both of them. Then make some trades for another starter (one year, such as Tyler Glasnow, or Burnes with no expectations that he will sign long-term) and for Luis Robert (whose salary is reasonable). If they sign both Ohtani and Yamamoto, they will also have starting pitchers coming back in 2025 — Ohtani, Gonsolin, Dustin May, maybe Kershaw – to add to Yamamoto, Bobby Miller, and whichever one or two of the young pitchers they don’t trade — Pepiot, Sheehan, Grove, Gavin Stone, Kyle Hurt.
Dont forget Butane!!!
I think your both wrong SEATTLE has had the one Japanese superstar and they all talk Seattle would be smart to sign the pitcher as good as otani is he gets hurt a lot and the best players are available not on DL Watch 4 Seattle to make a run for the pitcher plus we are gonna do some trading maybe a Juan Soto or Pete polar bear Alonso? Here we come Texas
I’m sure they’re both going to make a big difference for whatever team signs them! But like the Ron in a previous text says “you can get more for less” don’t put all your money on 2 players, when you can get 4-5 players at the same cost! And believe it the team needs 3 starters a closer SS? If not a 3rd baseman! Use the money wisely! You’ve done well so far