The Los Angeles Dodgers have long been known for their hefty investments in their roster, aiming to become the first team since the Yankees of the late '90s to snag three consecutive World Series titles. A significant part of their strategy hinges on tapping into talent from Asia, particularly from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Their roster already boasts World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and right-hander Roki Sasaki, both key acquisitions from NPB. This past offseason, the Dodgers had the opportunity to add another Japanese ace to their lineup but chose a different path.
Instead of signing the 27-year-old pitcher, who ended up with the Houston Astros on a three-year contract, the Dodgers focused on their existing talent. This decision is now being praised, especially after the pitcher's rocky debut with the Astros.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a cornerstone of the Dodgers' rotation, showcased his prowess by pitching six innings without issuing a walk against the Diamondbacks on Opening Day. With Tyler Glasnow secured through 2028, the Dodgers felt confident in their already robust rotation and opted against signing the new Japanese talent.
In his first outing with the Astros, the pitcher struggled, lasting just 2.2 innings and surrendering four runs and four walks against the Angels. The main issue?
Command. He threw 74 pitches, finding the strike zone only 48.6% of the time.
After a shaky start, he managed a clean second inning but unraveled in the third. Walks and hits piled up, turning a four-run lead into a narrow one-run game.
If command remains a challenge for this pitcher, the Dodgers might feel validated in their decision to pass on the deal, sticking with their current roster strength.