Shohei Ohtani Recruited Tyler Glasnow to Join Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani’s right arm might not allow him to pitch for another year, but that hasn’t stopped the Dodgers’ newest star yet. His pitching is already helping the team in a different sense.

Not only is he recruiting Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto to come to Los Angeles, but he also played a role in the team trading for starter Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow was acquired by the Dodgers from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade that was contingent on him signing a contract extension.

Glasnow, who is from Southern California, had one year left on his current deal. L.A. didn’t feel comfortable moving assets for him without the extension. Ohtani sent Glasnow a video trying to help bring him to the team, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

“It turns out that Ohtani had already been pitching the Dodgers’ next move, as sources told The Athletic that the two-way superstar sent Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow a video trying to woo him to Los Angeles.”

Per Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic

Ohtani understands how good of a pitcher Glasnow is, and he wanted him to help bolster this rotation. While Ohtani won’t be taking the mound in 2024, he knows he and Glasnow will be a lethal one-two punch for the Dodgers in 2025 and beyond.

Ohtani’s pitch to Glasnow could be part of the reason why he agreed to sign the extension with the Dodgers. He and the Dodgers agreed to a five-year, $136.5 million extension, keeping him in L.A. for the foreseeable future.

“In the video Ohtani expressed that he wished he could share a rotation with Glasnow this season. Ohtani won’t pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 as he recovers from elbow surgery). “But,” the superstar said, “I want to hit some home runs for you.”

Per Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic

Tyler Glasnow’s Contract With the Dodgers

The extension includes four years and $111.5 million in new money. Glasnow was already set to earn $25 million in 2024. L.A. also has a $30 million club option on him; if they decline it, Glasnow can exercise a $20 million player option.

Last season with Tampa Bay, Glasnow threw a career-high 120 innings at the major league level, posting an ERA of 3.53. When healthy, he is one of the better pitchers on the planet, but injuries have been a problem for him throughout his career.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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