MLB Rumors: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freeman Helped Recruit Yamamoto

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't waste any time utilizing Shohei Ohtani as a pitchman for the organization.

The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya and Ken Rosenthal reported Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman all took part in the team's presentation to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

"The pitch to Yamamoto was, on its face, straightforward," per Ardaya and Rosenthal. "As the free agent entered the ballpark, video displays depicting his name and likeness in a Dodgers uniform flashed on the scoreboard. Yamamoto is one of the most sought-after talents in the sport, with the Mets, Yankees, Giants, Blue Jays, Red Sox and others all vying for his services."

Yamamoto is widely considered the biggest pitching prize in free agency. He was not only the Pacific League MVP but also Japan's top arm for the third successive season in 2023. The right-hander went 16-6 with a 1.21 and 169 strikeouts across 164 innings.

The 25-year-old is also younger than starters of his caliber typically are when they hit the open market. Blake Snell and Aaron Nola, by comparison, are both 31. Further down the free-agent pyramid, Jordan Montgomery will turn 31 later this month, while Sonny Gray is 34.

Ardaya and Rosenthal reported the market for Yamamoto "has jumped in recent weeks" to the point where his contract could exceed $200 million.

A deal of that size would mean the Dodgers committed nearly $1 billion to two players, though Ohtani intentionally structured his payout to maximize their flexibility and leave open the possibility for another major signing.

One might presume having the biggest Japanese star in baseball would strengthen the Dodgers' odds of landing Yamamoto. He'd have a compatriot in the clubhouse to help ease his transition to MLB.

However, Rosenthal wrote this past April that one belief within the league is that "some Japanese players are uncomfortable being major-league teammates with other Japanese players because of the importance of seniority in Japan's hierarchical culture."

In October, Will Sammon of The Athletic wrote there would be no such issues with Yamamoto. Participating in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which Japan won, helped to preclude any such questions.

It's no sure thing that the Dodgers finalize an agreement with Yamamoto, but their presentation underscores how nobody else can match their star power.