The signings of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, arguably the highest two free brokers this offseason, had a polarizing impact. Many inside the trade joined the Dodgers’ group and its followers in cheering the focus of star energy in a serious market. Others painted the Dodgers as baseball’s new villains.
Adore it or hate it, the reunion of the 2 WBC teammates in Los Angeles is upon us. Yamamoto and Ohtani ought to assist Los Angeles contend for World Collection titles for years.
Among the many extra vocal critics of the signings: San Diego Padres beginning pitcher and former Dodger Yu Darvish.
Darvish broke his silence on the signings lately, and he appeared pissed off that the 2 Japanese gamers determined to hitch the Dodgers. His frustration appeared pointed extra at his personal group. Particularly, he named Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller in his critique.
San Diego wasn’t a serious participant within the sweepstakes for both free agent regardless of Darvish’s plea. After spending their option to baseball’s third-highest payroll in 2023, the Padres wanted to chop again in an effort to align their participant payroll with MLB’s debt service rule. Nonetheless, for Darvish, it’s understandably troublesome to abdomen seeing two countrymen head to a direct rival.
If Preller and Darvish spoke concerning the staff going after these two this winter, it’s not an excellent look on the Padres. Darvish is aware of first-hand how proficient every of those gamers is, and now he should face them till — in idea — the top of his main league profession.
After all, the Dodgers are completely ecstatic that they landed the highest two free brokers on the open market. After sitting out final offseason, L.A. got here into this winter with a plan, and so they have executed it completely to this point.
The Dodgers-Padres rivalry needs to be extra fascinating going ahead in mild of Darvish’s feedback. The 2 sides already weren’t the most important followers of one another, and now the season-opening sequence in Korea can’t come quickly sufficient.
Photograph Credit score: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports activities
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube Channel but? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to remain updated on all the newest Dodgers information, rumors, interviews, reside streams, and extra!
