This is an add-on to my “Shohei Ohtani is a Dodger” article. When Ohtani agreed to play with the Dodgers for the ensuing ten years, an article titled “What’s next for the Cubs?” was published a few weeks ago.
The Dodgers seem to be trying to do this. With the acquisitions of Ohtani and Yamamoto as well as the contract extension granted to Tyler Glasnow, who was acquired through trade, they have now committed to nearly $1 billion in new contracts. Like Ohtani, it appears obvious that Yamamoto was only ever going to play for the Dodgers.
Naturally, this offers no promises. Right now, The Onion’s sarcastic headline seems fitting. (Interestingly, the Yankees did, in fact, win the pennant in 2003; however, they were defeated in the World Series, and they have only been in one World Series since.)
The only thing that seems clear is that Ohtani’s global popularity and that of Yamamoto and Ohtani in Japan will bring in a ton of money for the Dodgers. Without a doubt, Los Angeles will top all MLB teams in Japan; I’m sure you can image how many Dodgers jerseys with Ohtani and Yamamoto have already been sold.
Additionally, the Dodgers are almost guaranteed to be one of the teams in the MLB’s commitment to play a season-opening series in Tokyo in 2025—yes, even after L.A. will be a team (against the Padres) in a season-opening series in Seoul, South Korea, this coming March.
But in terms of winning a World Series, what does it mean for Los Angeles? Most likely nothing. The Dodgers have already qualified for the postseason for eleven straight seasons and won the NL West in ten of those (winning 106 games and finishing second in the other year).
