MLB 2024: Splashy Ohtani, Yamamoto signings boost Dodgers as teams try to dethrone Rangers

As the Los Angeles Dodgers made splashy signings with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason, other teams focused on modern baseball's stark reality: pricey payrolls often don’t translate into titles. Baseball’s biggest spender has won the World Series just three times in the last 23 seasons: the 2009 New York Yankees, 2018 Boston Red Sox and 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers.

Other free agents who wound up with new teams included St. Louis right-hander Sonny Gray, Giants third baseman Matt Chapman and Houston closer Josh Hader. San Francisco also brought in an Asian star, giving South Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee a $113 million, six-year contract. Juan Soto was the most-prominent player traded, dealt from San Diego to the New York Yankees for his final season before free agency. But as opening day approached, pitcher Jordan Montgomery and designated hitter J.D.

Several stars will start on the injured list, among them reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole with the Yankees, Gray with the Cardinals and closer Jhoan Durán with the Minnesota Twins. An All-Star pitching staff is recovering from Tommy John surgery, including Jacob deGrom, Sandy Alcántara, Félix Bautista, Shane McClanahan and Liam Hendriks. Ohtani won't pitch this year following elbow surgery in September.

Oakland heads into an uncertain future. The Athletics’ lease at the Oakland Coliseum expires after this season and the team plans to move into a new Las Vegas ballpark in 2028 with no home site set for 2025-27. Baltimore will enter a new era when Carlyle Group Inc. co-founder David Rubenstein completes an agreement to buy the Orioles from Peter Angelos, who has controlled the team since 1993. The sale values the franchise at $1.725 billion and is likely to close just before the Orioles open.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

2024 Dodgers preview: Expectations, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu YamamotoDodgers beat reporter Bill Plunkett shares some insights ahead of the season and what he’s already noticed about the impact the Japanese superstars could have on the roster.
Source: ladailynews - 🏆 332. / 59 Read more »

Shohei Ohtani and his wife arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB openerBaseball fans crowd airport in South Korea to greet Shohei Ohtani and his wife ahead of MLB season-opening series between Dodgers and Padres.
Source: FOXSports - 🏆 280. / 63 Read more »

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani unveils personal logo ahead of 2024 MLB seasonShohei Ohtani added to his long list of accolades on Monday, unveiling his personal logo in a collaboration with New Balance.
Source: FOXSports - 🏆 280. / 63 Read more »

Dodgers on alert for pitch-tipping by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rest of staffIn his first spring start, Yamamoto’s grips could be seen on the TV broadcast. But he said guarding against pitch-tipping is an adjustment he will make before the regular season starts.
Source: ladailynews - 🏆 332. / 59 Read more »

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s ‘Yada Sensei’ gaining disciples at Dodgers campThe unique daily workouts have obviously paid off for the 3-time MVP in Japan, and some of his new teammates like Mookie Betts are intrigued
Source: ladailynews - 🏆 332. / 59 Read more »

Tyler Glasnow named Dodgers opening day starter; Yoshinobu Yamamoto also starting in KoreaTyler Glasnow will be the Dodgers’ opening day starter, the team announced Monday, for its March 20 lid-lifter against the Padres in Seoul.
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »