ESPN Believes Yoshinobu Yamamoto To Dodgers Isn’t Out of the Question

LA still has a chance to secure another Japanese talent

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed the most sought-after free agent in baseball history to the largest contract ever. However, the job of constructing a 2024 roster isn't over. If they want a real shot at winning their eighth World Series championship, signing Shohei Ohtani is just the beginning. 

Ohtani makes the Dodgers a good team on paper, but they will need more starting pitching to clear the hurdle of another early playoff exit. Ohtani will not pitch until 2025, as he's recovering from an elbow procedure that ended his 2023 season. So, adding another ace-level arm is crucial for L.A. They could do so by signing another big-time Japanese talent, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. 

Ohtani signed the richest contract in sports history, but Los Angeles still has money to spend. ESPN's Jeff Passan says adding Yamamoto is not out of the question for the Dodgers. 

So, yes, the Dodgers certainly will be in the bidding for Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose suitors include the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants and even the Blue Jays, who would hate to be spurned twice. Adding him and Ohtani isn't out of the question. By Game 1 of the 2024 season, which sees the Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea, Yamamoto could be the starting pitcher, with Ohtani hitting behind Betts and Freeman. It would be must-watch TV, whether in the United States or abroad.

(per Jeff Passan via ESPN)

Yamamoto, 25, is projected to earn a contract in the $300 million range. 

The New York Post's Jon Heyman lists the Dodgers among the perceived favorites for Yamamoto, along with the two New York teams, the Yankees and Mets. 

Ohtani domino was the biggest domino waiting to fall for the majority of free agents. Now, we could see some hot stove action this week, perhaps even a pact between the Dodgers and Yamamoto.