Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. What is it like for a sales team to approach coveted Japanese free agent Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
All three stars were present for the Dodgers' presentation to the right-hander at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with the details of the meeting.
At first glance, the pitch to Yamamoto was straightforward. As the free agent entered the stadium, video displays flashed on the scoreboard showing his name and likeness in a Dodgers uniform. Yamamoto is one of the sport's most sought-after talents. The Mets, Yankees, Giants, Blue Jays, Red Sox and others are all vying for his services. And for at least a few hours on Tuesday, the Dodgers' push came with star power.
Betts, who Yamamoto reportedly loves as a player, was in attendance. That was also true of Freeman, the fellow MVP who, until this week, represented the franchise's biggest free-agent signing. There was also his potential future catcher, Will Smith. The most notable name, however, was the newest Dodger, who will be officially introduced at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Ohtani, Yamamoto's teammate with Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic last spring, attended the meeting. Just two weeks ago, he had been on the other end of such a reception that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said did not involve any players and instead focused on reinforcing what Ohtani already knew about the franchise.
It worked: Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million contract had only become official the night before and included an unprecedented structure that deferred 97 percent of his salary until the end of the contract, as The Athletic wrote this week. It was a deal, those familiar with the details said, that was Ohtani's idea. And it should be used for exactly that reason: to be able to continue to spend and add talent around you.
Now he and the rest of the Dodgers' newly formed superstar triumvirate were among those looking to woo Yamamoto. The market for the 25-year-old right-hander has skyrocketed in recent weeks as he could be the rare pitcher worth $200 million (or more) if he makes his decision this month. But the Dodgers, who have already paid out nearly $718 million in guaranteed salaries this winter, remain firmly in the mix. The deferrals in Ohtani's contract are expected to result in a record-breaking $46 million annual luxury tax, but the club is still expected to be below the first penalty threshold.
Given that the Dodgers will only pay Ohtani $2 million next season and won't have to defer payments for two seasons, the Dodgers are well-positioned to absorb the release fee that would come with the nine-figure contract, which they would have shelled out if they landed Yamamoto. As The Athletic wrote on Wednesday, the release fee for a hypothetical $300 million contract would be $46.9 million, essentially the same amount the club will have to spend annually in deferments for Ohtani starting in 2026.
And as The Athletic's Will Sammon wrote in October, “Yamamoto is believed to be open to the possibility of playing alongside another Japanese player.”
So the Dodgers remain at the top of the market, both in trying to lure Yamamoto and in working on the trade front, where sources told The Athletic that the Dodgers are working on a deal with the Rays for right-hander Tyler Glasnow and taking outfielder Manuel Margot for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca. No deal was made.
The Dodgers have already acquired an enviable trio. Even with Ohtani there, they don't give up.
(Photo by Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)