“Not Sure That They’re Best Friends”: Los Angeles Dodgers Officially Out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto Despite Shohei Ohtani’s Attempt?

The Los Angeles Dodgers recently acquiring Shohei Ohtani didn’t just enhance their lineup; it enhanced their overall value as a team while adding to their pre-existing fame. The Japanese two-way superstar has made several statements since his initiation as a Boy in Blue; however, most of them were shown in gestures rather than words, and his recent participation in the team’s persuasion for Yoshinobu Yamamoto is one of them.

Yamamoto has been witnessing several efforts put to his persuasion by various teams, and to date, the New York Yankees and the Dodgers were considered favorites in the play. But there has been a recent change in events, per insider reports. According to them, the Blue Crew might be out of contention for Yoshinobu Yamamoto for many reasons that might work against a prospective deal with them, despite Ohtani’s prior involvement. What’s the word on the street?

An insider’s speculation on the Dodgers’ chance of clinching Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A recent video posted by MLB insider Jon Heyman shows him discussing Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s possibility of siding with a list of teams, along with Japanese baseball expert Bobby Valentine and radio host Joe Benigno. In the Twitter video, Valentine is seen being asked by Heyman to predict where Yoshinobu Yamamoto will land.

Drawing on the fact that Ohtani was present in the Dodgers’ presentation for Yamamoto alongside Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, Valentine pointed out that Yamamoto will most likely not sign with the Blue Crew because they already have a pitcher of Shotime’s merit to rule their stadium.

Ohtani has a pre-existing history with the player, being on the same team to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic championship. “I am not sure that they’re best friends,” he pointed out, before going on to mention how Ohtani’s pre-existing stature and the possible expectations from the player might overshadow Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s functionality on the team. Incidentally, this is not the only factor that might make the Dodgers take a step back or two.

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Why buy a cow when you’ve got the milk for free?

The team might have gotten Ohtani on a $700 million deal, but they are only committed to paying him $20 million of it for the next decade. Shotime might be giving his pitching form a break as of now, but he’s expected to revert to his old 100-mph fast-bowling form anytime between late 2024 and mid-2025.

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It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole when drafting a pitcher for a value of $20 million–$30 million a year when they already have the best one they could wish for. Now whether the team can come to a similar deferred payment structure with Yamamoto and whether he agrees to it to get a chance to play under the same banner as Ohtani is something only time will say.