Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto insists he would have signed with the Los Angeles team even if Shohei Ohtani had joined someone else
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto admitted that he would have signed with Los Angeles even if Shohei Ohtani had not recently opted to join the team as well.
While speaking to reporters during his introductory press conference, Yamamoto stated that his primary reason for choosing the Dodgers was to position himself to win both now and in the future.
“I wouldn't say he was the only reason for coming here, and if he had gone somewhere else, I probably still would have ended up in LA,” Yamamoto said through his interpreter.
“Winning now and winning in the future was probably the most important thing in making this decision.”
The 25-year-old Yamamoto recently signed a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers and noted that the way Ohtani structured his $700 million deal was also a factor in his decision.
Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto said he signed with the Dodgers to win now and in the future
He also stated that he would have signed with the Dodgers even if Shohei Ohtani did not
Yamamoto said seeing the success of ex-Dodger Kenta Maeda gave him confidence he could play well in America
Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said the entire organization was impressed with Yamamoto
“Through my conversations with the front office, it became very clear that they wanted to win,” Yamamoto said.
'Moreover, the fact that Shohei did that also indicated that it was not just the front office, but that it was also the players who bought into this winning atmosphere. That really appealed to me.'
Yamamoto also said that seeing other Japanese pitchers like Kenta Maeda with the Dodgers played a role in his decision.
“I wouldn't say that was the only reason I chose the Dodgers, but when I was 19, I came here to watch a playoff game, and in that game Kenta Maeda pitched and that made me feel more strongly about to go abroad. to play in the big leagues,” Yamamoto said.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes also said that after scouting Yamamoto, the entire organization was impressed with the pitcher's routines and abilities on the mound.
“When you reach the ballpark, one of the first things you notice is an incredibly impressive long toss play, where the ball feels like it's never going to leave the line and often seems like it's going to take the catcher's glove right out of line.” to beat. his hands,” Gomes said.
“There's a different level of intent and focus with every throw he makes leading up to that night's game.”