Joe Kelly Confirms Shohei Ohtani as Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Biggest Reason for Historic Dodgers Deal

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly just ended the barrage of speculations about Shohei Ohtani‘s role in securing Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the team. Many fans have tagged Shotime as a prospective GM for the Boys in Blue. He has been instrumental in clinching star prospects for the team since he stepped foot in their clubhouse. And all it needed was an official confirmation.

Yamamoto is second on the list of Dodgers’ Japanese upgrades for their pitching rotation. Although Shohei Ohtani himself will be part of the bullpen, he won’t be able to pitch until at least 2025. That makes his recruitment endeavors special, to say the least, considering that it proves his thoughtfulness behind keeping the pitching rotation intact until his return. Kelly’s statement only proves that further.

Shohei Ohtani being the prime reason for Yamamoto’s inclusion is not just speculation

According to a Twitter (now X) post made by podcaster and MLB insider Rob Bradford, Joe Kelly recently revealed Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s primary reason for joining the Boys in Blue. In the podcast, Kelly admitted, “I didn’t think he was not ever not be a Dodger. I knew he wanted to play with Ohtani.”

“Wanted to play” with Shotime might have been an understatement of the century, given the fact that Yamamoto already knows what it feels like to play by Ohtani’s side. So it was more like a question of regaining the chance to play with familiar greatness than just a wish that stayed unfulfilled before.

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto played together for Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic Championship. Before that, they both used to play for the Nippon Professional Baseball League but never had the chance to face off in a game.

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Time spent with Yoshi in the past left a deep impact on Shotime. This was proven when he actively vouched for Yamamoto within days of entering the Dodgers’ lineup.

Ohtani was playing recruiter for Yamamoto

Shohei Ohtani had an active part in recruiting Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers team, along with two other Boys in Blue superstars. He was present in the team’s first presentation for the young ace, accompanied by two other legends, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. But his contribution to Yoshi’s drafting doesn’t just end there.

Shohei Ohtani was reportedly the first to put the idea of a deferred payment structure on the table, according to The Athletic. That allowed the team to set aside $680 million of his $700 million contract as a future payment option, which, in turn, let them focus on the sudden availability of resources elsewhere. The deferral made Yamamoto’s $325 million, 12-year deal possible.

Read More: First Shohei Ohtani, Now Yoshinobu Yamamoto: How Two Japanese Stars Brought the Free Agency Market to a Standstill

The Japanese teammates are back under the same roof again. The entire baseball world is waiting to see their superior form on the field beginning in 2024!