Playing Second Fiddle to Shohei Ohtani Could Drive Yoshinobu Yamamoto Far Away from Los Angeles

“Go ahead, name a country that doesn’t have two presidents. A boat that sets sail without two captains”, asked Oscar Martinez in ‘The Office’. Excuse the sarcasm, but wouldn’t that be the case for the Los Angeles Dodgers with two superpowers on board? While Shohei Ohtani is a once-in-a-blue-moon talent, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s youth prowess is like none other. But the real question is, would it be wise to juxtapose them? 

Though the two Japanese stars are similar in terms of their performance on the field, they couldn’t be more opposite. While one loves his privacy, the other doesn’t mind the public eye. The former has an established winning aura and the latter is ready to create one. While the rest of the MLB world sees these stark differences, does the Blue Crew see it? 

Los Angeles Dodgers Continue to Compete for Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Okay, so here’s some context. @Ken_Rosenthal tweeted that Los Angeles is in conversation to welcome Tyler Glasnow, the right-hander from the Tampa Bay Rays, in a trade. But that does not dilute the possibility of them going all in for Yamamoto. Even @BNightengale believes that “The Dodgers, even if they acquire Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays, are still all in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto..” 

Money clearly is not much of a concern for the franchise, thanks to Ohtani’s deferred $680 million of the $700 million he signed. This move has greatly allowed the front office to be more aggressive in bolstering the team. What’s terrifying for the rest of the league is that apart from the Dodgers’ familiarity with the playoffs, they are aggressive suitors for ‘Yoshi’ too. 

Watch This Story : The Japanese Ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Head-Turning Deal of $200 Million Was Confirmed By Insider, Keeping Giant Teams On Hotlists

South California would love to have at least two aces this offseason. This makes strategic room for signing the former Orix Buffaloes star as Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported. This seemingly is not a one-sided approach. David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio provided what can be called, substantial evidence, stating that the 2017 NPB debutant is equally fascinated about pitching for them. But let’s not forget, that the Dodgers already have THE Shohei Ohtani. 

Clash of the Titans in Los Angeles? 

Of course, it won’t be as serious as the Clash of the Titans, but something might put the 25-year-old at unease. Well, based on his performance outside the Major League, the 5x NPB All-Star is a legend in the making. Sharing the same team as his World Baseball Classic teammate would be nothing but a privilege. However, here’s the catch. The two-way phenom is long past being just a baseball player. He is an otherworldly, generational talent. Given that, would it do good for the young star to play second fiddle? 

Although working under the shadow of this particular star is nothing less than an honor, it is presumable that Yoshi would like to establish his reputation unfazed by Ohtani’s inevitable limelight. Having said that, it’s possible that the New York Yankees could be a rather better fit for him. Isn’t it? 

Even if Yamamoto were to play in the Bronx, one can’t rule out that he’d be second to ace, Gerrit Cole. However, Cole’s public presence is not as ubiquitous as Shotime’s. So that could be a gateway for the 3x Eiji Sawamura Award winner’s unadulterated rise to fame. It would be a win-win for the Yankees too. 

Could Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Work Together?

Going on a slight tangent, another perspective is key to consider. One of the biggest differences between the two generational talents (one, soon to be) is that Ohtani loves privacy, while Yamamoto isn’t too strict about it. With a slightly conflicting interest there, managing the team respecting both their preferences might be more than just a piece of cake. 

That said, one must not forget how hushed the Oshu-born’s free agency proceedings were. So much so that there were reports when Dave Roberts revealed their meeting with Ohtani in the press conference that he had jeopardized the potential signing. His words were, “I like to be honest. Yeah, we met with Shohei, we talked. And I think it went well. I think it went well. But at the end of the day, he’s his own man. And he’s going to do what’s best for himself, where he feels most comfortable.” This, did have a happy ending, however, gave a great deal of insights on the importance of privacy in Ohtani’s life. 

Read More : Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Unprecedented Free Agency Continues, as Dodgers, Mets and Yankees Headline $300 Million Battle

Looking at this from another point of view would be the familiarity Ohtani would be able to provide to Yamamoto. The two were after all teammates of the winning Team Japan in the WBC 2023. There is no doubt that their camaraderie is one that can bring victory. But one can’t negate the difference between being teammates in Japan and being teammates in the US. Their union in Los Angeles might go either way. So amid the uncertainties, it’s best to wait and watch the events unfold.