11 Days, 2 Stars: Shohei Ohtani’s Gravitational Pull Redefines LA Dodgers, MLB Landscape

Within weeks of his initiation as a Boy in Blue, Shohei Ohtani has helped the team like no other player in perhaps the league’s history. He helped them clinch two star pitchers within just 11 days of his entry into their dugout. After all, who doesn’t want to play with baseball’s unicorn?

When Yoshinobu Yamamoto chose the Dodgers as his next home for the coming decade, the fanbase was more than happy to welcome him home. Just like they did with veteran pitcher Tyler Glasnow. What they didn’t expect was for Ohtani to be actively instrumental in more than one way in securing the pitchers for the team.

Shohei Ohtani might be the best recruiter the Dodgers have ever seen

Shohei Ohtani sent a video to Tyler Glasnow days before he did the same for Yamamoto. The Athletic reported that, in the video, Shotime regretted not being able to pitch alongside Glasnow for the 2024 games. “But,” the Unicorn said, “I want to hit some home runs for you.” Imagine being invited by the world’s best baseball player to play with him on the same team for years to come. Baffling, isn’t it? Ohtani’s next step with the team’s roster far exceeded the surprise factor involved in Glasnow’s signing with them.

Ohtani met Yoshinobu Yamamoto along with his two Dodgers teammates, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, at a recruiting party held for the Japanese ace. The deal and the trade that transpired within a matter of weeks proved how intent Shotime is to secure wins for the team, even before the games have begun on the diamond.

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The two-way superstar is already making strides by adding massive talents to the team’s roster, addressing the club’s massive bullpen gaps himself. And it was only possible because of his preference for the deferred salary structure.

Ohtani’s magnanimous move made two pitchers’ deals possible

Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million deal with the Dodgers, but he will spend only $20 million of it until his contract expires in 2034-2043. His decision to lend the team a chance to pay $680 million in deferrals was highly instrumental in clinching the aces, especially Yoshi, says the LA Times.

The team signed Glasnow on an extension contract of $136.5 million for 5 years in the December 16 trade. Exactly five days later, Dodgers’ sources confirmed that the team had reached an agreement to lock down Yamamoto on a $325 million contract for the next 12 years, according to insider Jeff Passan.

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Ohtani was actively helpful in both deals, showing the truest display of sportsmanship. Here’s wishing he steps into Dodger Stadium with the same winning mentality for the next season’s games!