The Dodgers officially landed the biggest free agent on the market, signing Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract on Monday. Just two days into his Dodgers’ tenure, Ohtani is already recruiting available free agents for his new team.
Ohtani was present for the Dodgers’ free agency meeting with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Tuesday, according to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal. Los Angeles stars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were also in attendance at Dodger Stadium as the team courts the coveted Japanese pitcher.
Ohtani and Yamamoto have a prior relationship, as they both played in Japan’s NPB and were teammates on Team Japan during its World Baseball Classic championship run. Ohtani starred during the tournament, but Yamamoto also pitched in two games for his country as Team Japan went undefeated throughout.
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Yamamoto is a highly sought-after free agent, as several teams are trying to sign him including the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Giants. The 25-year-old is a three-time Pacific League MVP and Eiji Sawamura Award winner in Japan, totaling an ERA under 2.00 in each of his last three seasons.
If Los Angeles does sign Yamamoto, Ohtani will probably be a big reason why. The two-way superstar’s uniquely deferred contract makes it easier for the Dodgers to go after other star free agents, as Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci reported Los Angeles would target Yamamoto and Josh Hader next.
