Shohei Ohtani Joining the Dodgers Played 'Big Part' in Tyler Glasnow Wanting to Be in L.A.

Glasnow wanted to play with the best player in the world.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the offseason. It came at an unprecedented cost, but the signings of Shohei Ohtani (10 years, $700 million) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12 years, $325 million) were the envy of 29 teams and their fan bases.

Winning the offseason isn't the end goal for the Dodgers' front office, but it's a start. It was also a big reason behind the Dodgers' acquisition of their newest ace, Tyler Glasnow. The Dodgers traded for the 30-year-old from Santa Clarita after he spent six seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

Glasnow did a ton of great work for the Rays, and now he'll look to do the same or more for the Dodgers. The Dodgers chose Glasnow, not the other way around, but you wouldn't be able to tell from his recent interview with Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. 

Glasnow spoke with McKain and said how the other newest Dodger, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, played a significant role in his desire to pitch for his hometown team. 

“It was a big part of it, for sure. The opportunity to play with one of the best players in the last — maybe ever.”

“It was obviously big just being my hometown team and going back home. But him signing there, definitely I was considering some other teams, but once he signed I was like, alright, I want to go to the Dodgers.”

(per Tyler Glasnow via Dodgers Nation)

Could you blame Glasnow? Who wouldn't want to play with the best player this game has to offer in sunny Southern California?

Ohtani and Glasnow have yet to reach the pinnacle of the sport. With the Dodgers having trouble reaching the World Series since their 2020 championship, the two stars can unite behind a shared mission. 

Ohtani won't pitch this upcoming season, he and Glasnow project to lead a stacked rotation in 2025. The two can do plenty to help the Dodgers win in 2024.