The Los Angeles Dodgers officially signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract last week and formally introduced him during a press conference in the center field plaza at Dodger Stadium.
Yamamoto is the Dodgers’ third high-profile addition of the offseason, joining Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow. The team has committed over $1.1 billion to add the three players as they look to get back to the World Series.
“I think, first and foremost, you said it is a privilege. I don’t think the expectation has changed,” manager Dave Roberts said when asked if the Dodgers’ expectations of winning the World Series have increased.
“I think that the roster has certainly been enhanced with some great talent and great people. But the goal is still been to win the World Series.”
The Dodgers are coming off another 100-win season in which they won the National League West, but suffered an early playoff exit at the hands of a division opponent. Even before their splashy acquisitions this winter, they had a deep enough roster to get back to the postseason in 2024.
However, the Dodgers have bigger goals in mind, such as winning their first World Series title since the shortened 2020 season. “Doc touched on it. I don’t think that the expectation is any different,” general manager Brandon Gomes said of the team’s expectations.
“We’re expected to win the World Series every year. That’s our expectation going into Spring Training. We hold ourselves to the highest standard, so the external pressure is external and we trust that Doc will have our guys in a great mindset ready to go out to win each and every game.”
Dave Roberts admits Dodgers’ offseason moves add pressure
Following the signing of Ohtani to a record-setting contract, Roberts conceded that there is added pressure for the Dodgers to play up to standards next season.
“It certainly does, but us three sitting up here, and Mark, and our staff, our fans, this is what we dream of, to have the highest of expectations,” Roberts said after Ohtani’s introductory press conference.
“It’s a great day in baseball and Dodgers history. We’re the center of the sports world. Just very excited.”
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