The Dodgers Spent $1 Billion on Two Japanese Superstars- And It Worked Perfectly

In 2024 the highest paid baseball player in the world is the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Japanese phenom entered the MLB with an immense amount of buzz as a possible pairing to fellow Japanese star Shohei Ohtani. But it wasn't just the Japanese connection with Ohtani that made Yamamoto intriguing to MLB talent seekers; it was his completely lights out stuff that came in large doses from his time in the NPB. During his early career with the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto was nothing short of consistently dominant with multiple 200+ strikeout seasons and a sub 2 era for 3 consecutive seasons. International prospects are often seen as risky and unknown, but such was not that case with Yamamoto. He had proven his worth at the Japanese and International level and had MLB scouts clamoring for his services. Yamamoto eventually reached a 12 year $325 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and created a lethal $1 billion Japanese duo with Shohei Ohtani.

Unlike Yamamoto, nothing about Ohtani’s future was unproclaimed. The two-way talent and 2x MLB AL MVP had been cruising for a record payday for months leading up to when he signed his name on the dotted line. $700 Million dollars and some creative contract building later, the Dodgers had found a way to wrangle in two of the top free agents in recent memory. Some would call the Dodgers a superteam that made each and every dollar from both of their contracts worth it, while others would offer that this amount of money is an overpay no matter who the two are. What many don’t realize is: this $1 Billion price tag is the ultimate business expansion move. The Dodgers brass isn’t paying this money just to acquire wins, but millions of fans and dollars of sponsors along the way. 

As the game of baseball continues to grow around the world, international talent becomes even more powerful. The fact that two of the faces of Japan's 2023 WBC roster ended up on the Dodgers is no coincidence and is part of a larger push to conquer fans around the world. Yamamoto and Ohtani are dominating, and the Dodgers will continue to reap the rewards of their billion dollar Japanese spending spree.